In Ambala hospitals, staff crunch hits work

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Ambala, November 30

The shortage of staff, especially medical officers, has affected the functioning of health institutions in the district.

As per data, there are 55 sanctioned posts of medical officers at the Civil Hospital in Ambala City, 16 of which are lying vacant.

Of the 43 sanctioned posts of medical officers at the Naraingarh Civil Hospital, 36 are lying vacant.

In Naraingarh, while the equipment is available, no specialists are there to operate those. As per the information available, there are no MD Physician, general surgeon and MD gynaecologist.

Besides these, there are only two lab technicians against the sanctioned posts of 10 and 16 regular staff nurses against the sanctioned posts of 38.

However, the situation is good at the Ambala Cantonment civil hospital where 47 MOs are working against the sanctioned posts of 42. Being the home constituency of the Health Minister, the cantonment hospital has benefitted over the past five years and has turned out to be one of the best healthcare institutions in the region.

The shortage of gynaecologists is the biggest issue that health officials have been facing in the district. While there are only three gynaecologists in Ambala City and one in Ambala Cantonment, there is no gynaecologist in Naraingarh. The situation is similar in the community and primary health centres too.

An official said, “It is not that doctors were not appointed. The problem is that whenever doctors are sent on deputation, many of them — instead of joining — get their deputations cancelled. Some who were working here have gone on deputation and have been doing duty at the DG office in Panchkula.”

“Due to the shortage of staff, the burden on doctors has increased manifold. Nearly 500 deliveries are conducted in a month at the Civil Hospital in Ambala City. At least five gynaecologists are required, but there are only three. There must be at least five gynaecologists in the civil hospital.

“Besides them, there is only one surgeon, ENT specialist, physician, and paediatrician each when there must be three each as the footfall at the city hospital is around 2,000 people a day. The post of radiologist is also lying vacant,” said a senior health official.

“There is a requirement of five gynaecologists at the Ambala Cantonment hospital and three at the Naraingarh hospital. The availability of a gynaecologist at each PHC and CHC should also be ensured. The shortage of staff is being covered through NHM staff,” the official said.