Patients upset due to the lack of staff in PHC Kufri
Due to a shortage of staff in the Primary Health Institute, Kufri, patients are facing a lot of trouble. There is only one doctor posted in this health institution, who has to give duty in Civil Hospital Theog on deputation for two days a week. One post of a doctor, one post of staff nurse, lab technician, X-ray operator, and other posts are lying vacant in PHC. Due to this the operation theater and X-ray machine of PHC is gathering dust.
Shashank Atri, deputy head of Gram Panchayat Kufri, said in a statement that apart from being the focal point of about five panchayats in the Kufri area, it is also a famous tourist spot where a large number of patients come daily for treatment. He told that most of the patients have to go to IGMC or Ripon Hospital for treatment due to the non-completion of staff in PHC. It is not logical to send the doctor of this health institution to Theog Hospital on deputation as there is only one doctor posted in this PHC. Atri said that due to the non-availability of an X-ray operator, the X-ray machine was lying closed for a long time. Because of this patients have to go to Shimla to get an X-ray done.
He informed me that a private company Krasna Diagnostics has been contracted by the government to conduct the lab tests at the PHC. By only blood samples are sent to Shimla in the center, whose report comes on the third day. Due to the delay in the arrival of the lab reports, the treatment of the patient does not start properly for three days. By filling the post of Lab Technician, patients can get daily reports. Seven beds are available for indoor patients in the center but there is no arrangement for food etc. for indoor patients.
Vice President Shashank Attri has demanded from the government that the posts of doctors, lab technicians, and X-ray operators in PHC Kufri should be filled on a priority basis so that the people of the area can get the best medical facilities.
Block Medical Officer Mashobra Dr. Rakesh Pratap said that the matter of filling the vacant posts has been taken up with the higher officials.