100% posts of emergency medical officer vacant in Fazilka hospital

The large number of vacant posts of emergency medical officer (EMO), programme officer, senior medical officer and specialist doctor belie the state government’s tall claims that health and education are its top priority.

The information gathered by The Tribune revealed that all the posts of EMO have been lying vacant at the district hospital in Fazilka. There are nine sanctioned posts at the hospital.

The specialist doctors have been pressed into emergency services, adversely affecting the OPD, due to which hundreds of patients are unable to avail specialised treatment. “We cannot do different work at the same time. The services of specialist doctors are being wasted by deploying them on emergency services,” said a senior doctor.

In the district, out of 57 sanctioned posts of EMO, 41 are vacant. Specialist doctors are deployed in place of EMO despite the fact that the state Health Department has been struggling to find specialist doctors. According to official sources, 50 per cent posts of specialist doctor have been lying vacant in the district — out of 74 sanctioned posts, 37 are vacant.

The situation at rural community health centres (CHCs) of Khui Khera, Dabwala Kalan, Jandwala Bhimeshah, Ramsaram, Wahabwala and Jalalabad Civil Hospital — which is also technically a CHC — is poor as no specialist doctor has been posted there. Four specialist doctors are supposed to be posted in each CHC.

The border district has only two senior medical officers (SMOs) against nine sanctioned posts and 77 per cent posts of SMO are vacant. The post of SMO of Fazilka District Hospital has not been filled for many years. Abohar Civil Hospital and CHC Ramsara have regular SMOs.

The situation is not much different in the Civil Surgeon’s office. It has only one programme officer, who is the District Family Planning Officer. The posts of assistant civil surgeon (ACS), district immunisation officer (DIO), district dental health officer (DDHO), deputy medical commissioner and epidemiologist have not been filled for a long time.

Civil Surgeon, Fazilka, Dr Eric, said the higher authorities are informed about the vacancies regularly but perhaps due to paucity of doctors, the posts are still vacant. “The government’s claims of providing better health services are highlighted, but no significant change is visible on the ground,” said former Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani.

No specialist posted

• 50 per cent posts of specialist doctor have been lying vacant in the district as out of 74 sanctioned posts, 37 are vacant
• The border district has only two senior medical officers (SMOs) against the posts of nine and 77 per cent posts of SMO are vacant
• The situation at rural community health centres (CHCs) of Khui Khera, Dabwala Kalan, Jandwala Bhimeshah, Ramsaram, Wahabwala and Jalalabad Civil Hospital - which is also technically a CHC -is poor as no specialist doctor has been posted here. Four specialist doctors are supposed to be posted in each CHC.