JKPur/Mukundpur: Even as the state government comes up with regular schemes and pumps in crores of rupees to improve healthcare system, the district administration continued to draw flak due to the delinquency of a few hospital staff.
Rekhapadar primary health centre (PHC) of Kolnara block is a case in point.
The doctor, pharamacist and other staff, cashing in on the inaccessibility of the region, don’t turn up at the hospital leaving the health centre in the hands of an ANM, alleged ward member Prafulla Bidika and a few other villagers.
Patient service in the PHC has been severely affected over last few days in the absence of the doctor and a pharmacist, Bidika added.
ANM Archana Dash prescribes medicines to patients in the absence of the physician and pharmacist, it was learnt.
“We visit the medical when we learn that the ANM has come to the PHC. We collect medicines as per her prescription,” said a patient Nilakantha of the area.
With people of three panchayats depending on the PHC, poor healthcare has forced many to resort to traditional healing methods prescribed by quacks risking their lives, it was learnt.
Acknowledging the absence of the doctor and the pharmacist, ADMO Dr BLN Prusty said he too found them absent when he made a surprise visit three days back.
ADMO Prusty promised action against the staff if they are found guilty.
He, however, said the in-charge doctor has been on leave to appear his PG examination while pharmacist Pramod Kumar Sahoo remained absent without submitting a leave application.
When contacted, the pharmacist said he had to remain on leave due to family problems but he put up the leave application. PNN