Primary Health Centre at Jundla lacks basic facilities

The Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Jundla is grappling with an acute shortage of medical facilities and staff, affecting residents of 12 nearby villages.

The PHC caters to the medical need of a population of over 40,000 people of Sirsi, Dadupur, Hathlana, Katlaheri, Peont, Jani, Picholia, Bir Majra, Manjura, Zarifabad, Budhanpur Viran, and Jundla.

It has two sanctioned posts for doctors—one each for a male doctor and a Lady Medical Officer (LMO). However, the LMO post has been lying vacant for several months. As a result, caesarean deliveries and complicated delivery cases are being referred to higher centres, while only normal deliveries are being managed by staff nurses, said the residents.

The absence of a pharmacist further compounds the crisis, forcing Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) or health workers to dispense medicines. The post of dental surgeon is also not filled. The dental surgeon at the PHC visits only three days a week, which falls short of the demand for dental care.

Also, the PHC lacks basic diagnostic facilities like CBC, liver and kidney function test, thyroid profile and lipid profile.

Limited stock of emergency medicines further exacerbates the problems, depriving patients of major medicines. Besides, three posts of five of multi-purpose health worker (male) are lying vacant.

The condemned residential quarters on the premises further reflect the state of neglect. As per sources, it has become a hub of drug addicts and residents have demanded the government to demolish and construct quarters or other buildings to upgrade the health facilities.

“We urgently need upgraded facilities and regular staff appointments as in the absence of LMO, pregnant women and their family members have to suffer a lot as complicated cases are referred to higher centres,” said Satish Kumar, a local resident.

“We are forced to travel to distant centres for even basic tests and treatment. The government must prioritise upgrading the PHC to address the healthcare needs of thousands of residents,” said Rajesh Kumar, another resident.

The residents also said the health facility should be upgraded to Community Health Centre to ensure better facilities, including 24x7 availability of doctors, advanced diagnostic tests, and proper stock of medicines.

The Civil Surgeon, Dr Lokveer, said over 700 doctors were likely to join soon across the state and a majority of the posts in the district would be filled after their joining. “I have apprised the authorities about the status of the staff across the district and other facilities. We are hopeful these will be filled soon,” he said.