Kaithal Civil Hospital grapples with shortage of doctors

The Civil Hospital is grappling with an acute shortage of doctors and non-functional medical equipment, due to which patients’ care is badly impacted.

The situation can be gauged with the fact that against the sanctioned strength of 55 doctors, 41 posts are lying vacant.

The hospital has been operating without a permanent Principal Medical Officer (PMO) for several months, with an officiating PMO currently managing the responsibilities.

Besides, there is no gynaecologist, due to which several pregnant women are referred to other hospitals for caesarean deliveries. However, two women medical officers are handling the Gynaecology Department, and private doctors are engaged on panel to perform caesarean deliveries. Despite the absence of specialists, the hospital manages around 300 deliveries, including caesareans, every month.

Apart from it, out of six sanctioned posts for radiographers, three are vacant. In absence of a regular anesthetist, the hospital relies on two anesthetists employed under the National Health Mission (NHM) on contractual basis. The hospital has only one radiologist, who is also overburdened as she is conducting all the ultrasound which are advised by different departments along with medico-legal.

Key services at the hospitals have been affected due to non-functional machines. The lithotripsy machine, crucial for non-invasive treatment of kidney stones, has been non-functional for several months, forcing patients to get treatment at private hospitals. Additionally, four chambers of the hospital's mortuary remain out of order, due to which staff members face lots of problems keeping dead bodies.

A staff member said on condition of anonymity that there is an urgent need for more doctors and functional equipment to address the growing patient load. “The hospital is struggling to meet the needs of the community, and immediate action is required,” he added.

The residents have expressed resentment over the state of healthcare services and are urging the government to address the issue promptly. “The shortage of doctors leads to inconvenience to patients. The government must take steps to recruit medical professionals and repair essential machines to provide uninterrupted healthcare services,” said Sachin, a local resident.

Dr Sachin Mandlay, officiating PMO, said they have apprised the higher authorities about the shortage of doctors and non-functional machines. “We are managing with the doctors available in the hospital,” said the PMO.

Dr Renu Chawla, Civil Surgeon, Kaithal, said the government is working to fill the vacant posts. “We are hopeful, the vacant posts will be filled soon,” said the Civil Surgeon.