Karnal Civil Hospital grapples with shortage of doctors

Karnal District Civil Hospital, which is one of the oldest government hospitals in the country, is facing a severe shortage of doctors, severely impacting patient care. The hospital is functioning without a regular Principal Medical Officer (PMO), with senior medical officer (SMO) Dr Balwan Singh serving in an officiating capacity.

Of the sanctioned 55 posts of doctors, 29 have been filled and 11 are still vacant. Three doctors are absent for the past several months, four have resigned and one is doing a PG course and another is doing senior residentship. One suspended doctor has been sent to Karnal headquarters.

Of the total 29 doctors serving in the hospital, 17 are specialists and 12 medical officers. Besides, five consultants, doctors working after retirement, are serving here. With limited doctors, the hospital is catering to the demand of nearly 2,200-2,500 patients daily.

Departments such as medicine and surgery are severely understaffed. The medicine division has three doctors, including one consultant, while the surgery department has only two surgeons, including one consultant. Similarly, the gynaecology ward has just two gynaecologists. One specialist and two psychiatrists have been appointed through contractual system under the National Health Mission, .

Besides, a post each of clinical psychologist, optometrist, matron, assistant matron, senior pharmacist, biochemist, biomedical engineer, quality manager, cashier, caretaker, senior stenographer, and driver has been lying vacant. A post of physiotherapist, four of staff nurses, two of pharmacists, one of dental assistant–cum-mechanic, ophthalmic assistants are yet to be filled. In addition to this, all the three posts of storekeeper and two posts of clerk are lying vacant.

As many as 48 staff members, including doctors and paramedical have been appointed through NHM.

The District Civil Hospital has a central lab, which has the facilities of all the tests except microbiology.  Despite having facilities like CT scans, X-rays, and ultrasound, the hospital's lone radiologist is overburdened. The recently introduced ICU is also facing operational challenges due to the shortage of doctors and faculty members.

Due to shortage of doctors, the majority of the divisions witness long queues of patients. “We have to wait for our turn for hours,” said Naresh Kumar, a local resident. “We have apprised the senior authorities of the department about the shortage of doctors and other staff members. We have raised the demand for more doctors,” said Dr. Balwan Singh, officiating PMO.