7 posts of doctor vacant in Keylong, govt sleeps

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 10

Seven posts of specialist doctor are lying vacant in the District Hospital, Keylong, in Lahaul and Spiti for many years, affecting health services.

The hospital caters to the entire Lahaul valley. The posts of specialist like gynaecologist, orthopaedician, eye specialist, surgeon, anaesthetist, besides posts in the ENT department are lying vacant

Medical care missing

• The posts of specialist like gynaecologist, orthopaedician, eye specialist, surgeon, anaesthetist, besides posts in the ENT department are lying vacant
• As a result, people are suffering in the absence of medical care in the district

As a result, people are suffering in the absence of medical care in the district. The worst sufferers are expectant mothers, who face difficulties especially during the winter when the entire valley is covered under a thick blanket of snow. Roads get blocked for days, rendering the movement of patients out of the district very difficult.

Residents rue that due to the apathy of the government, the posts have not been filled for many years. The local legislator has also failed to force the government to fill the posts on priority.

Sudarshan Jaspa, a member of Lahaul and Spiti Zila Parishad, told The Tribune: “Expectant mothers, children and senior citizens have difficult time during the winter. It is the responsibility of the government to fill these posts on a priority”.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Paljore said that seven posts of specialist doctor were lying vacant in the hospital.