Karnal Civil Hospital grapples with shortage of gynaecologists

Parveen Arora

Karnal, July 8

With only one specialist available to handle all caesarean deliveries, the District Civil Hospital is facing a shortage of gynaecologists.

We only have one gynaecologist, but we have appointed lady medical officers to assist her in deliveries and in managing the OPD. We have also tied up with two private gynaecologists on a case-by-case basis, compensating them accordingly. — Dr Balwan Singh, officiating Principal Medical Officer

Although four lady medical officers (LMOs) have been appointed in the labour room and outpatient department (OPD) for expectant mothers, the lack of additional gynaecologists has created challenges for both, the department and the patients. The specialist available at present is responsible not only for the caesarean deliveries but also for the OPD duties with other female LMOs, medical board examinations and additional tasks.

LMOs are non-specialists and cannot perform critical procedures such as a C section. Despite their diligent efforts to provide the best possible care, they lack the specialised skills necessary to perform critical procedures. As per data from the Gynaecology Department, around 200-250 deliveries are conducted every month here, including 50-60 C sections. In the first week of July, there were 43 deliveries, seven of which were C sections.

The Gynaecology Department is also facing a shortage of staff nurses. Twenty staff nurses are needed in the department, but only 14 are currently available. Fourteen nurses are needed for the antenatal care unit and labour room and six are required in the post-delivery ward. The entire department appears to be overburdened, leading to stress among the staff. As a result, some critical cases are referred to higher institutions or expecting mothers have to wait for their turn, said the sources in the department.

Expectant mothers have voiced their concerns about the current situation. “We know that the present gynaecologist, LMOs and staff members are doing their best, but the system needs to improve. The government must appoint more gynaecologists and staff nurses for the labour room’s smooth functioning,” said an expectant mother.

Hospital administrators have acknowledged the problem and are attempting to reduce the inconvenience to the patients. They claimed to have tied up with private gynaecologists, but as per sources, the specialists are insufficient on a call basis as they are busy or unavailable.

“We only have one gynaecologist, but we have appointed LMOs to assist her in performing normal deliveries and manage the OPD. We have also tied-up with two private gynaecologists on a case-by-case basis, compensating them accordingly,” said Dr Balwan Singh, the officiating Principal Medical Officer (PMO). “Our priority is to ensure that all patients receive timely and adequate care,” he added.

Civil Surgeon Dr Krishan Kumar said the problem has been raised with the higher authorities. He added that under the National Health Mission scheme, they were conducting walk-in interviews for the recruitment of gynaecologists. “We are hopeful that the vacant posts will be filled soon,” he said.