Kendrapara: Even as the state government has set up primary health centers (PHCs) to provide health service to the people, the plight of patients at Gobindpur PHC in Aul block of coastal Kendrapara district presents a study in contrast.
The healthcare scenario in river criss-crossed Gobindpur panchayat in Aul block is in a shambles due to lack of doctors; the health department sent back a doctor it had sent to the PHC to his original place of posting. Since then, patients have been facing a host of problems and the situation has led to strong resentment among the riparian people.
People of as many as 10 gram panchayats of Aul block along with the neighbouring Pattamundai block, parts of Binjharpur and Bari blocks in Jajpur district depend on the PHC.
But ironically, no doctor has been appointed since the last three years despite repeated demands by the locals and the district Health department’s own assurance.
Earlier, Biswajit Jena, who was the doctor of Rajkanika CHC, was sent on deputation to the PHC only to be taken back soon. Patients who come to the PHC for treatment have to return without getting treatment.
In the absence of a doctor, the pharmacist of the PHC, Ashok Kumar Jena, provides treatment to some patients. On the other hand, some critically sick patients have had to return without treatment, alleged Baidhar Nayak, local.
When questioned on the issue, the pharmacist informed that a new doctor would be appointed soon.
The locals have demanded before the senior officials of Health department to take steps for appointing a doctor in the PHC.
According to Health department sources, as many as 171 posts of doctors are sanctioned in PHC, CHC and health centres in the district. But due to shortage of doctors, only 68 have been working. The Health department has been giving more stress to post doctors in CHCs instead of PHCs due to shortage of doctors as more patients depend on the CHCs than PHCs.
PNN
