Kullu hospital sans radiologist for 2 months

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, January 20

There is no radiologist at the Regional Hospital, Kullu, for the past two months. As a result, patients have to go to private hospitals for ultrasound tests.

Earlier, there were two radiologists here but since November, the posts were lying vacant. Patients allege that they have to pay a hefty amount to get the test done at private facilities in the absence of ultrasound facility here.

Posts of pharmacist, physio also vacant

• The hospital caters to the residents of Kullu, Lahaul and some parts of Mandi district. As many as 21 posts of para-medical staff, including lab technicians, are vacant.
• Of nine sanctioned posts of senior lab technician, three are vacant. Also, one post of pharmacist, one post of physiotherapist, five posts of cleaner, one of Class-IV employee and three of driver are vacant.
• The hospital, having 300-bed capacity, receives around 450 patients at the OPDs of orthopaedics, gynaecology, paediatrics, ENT and other departments every day.

Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Naresh says that all 37 posts of medical officer are filled. If a radiologist is deputed, a medical officer will have to be transferred. The authorities concerned have been informed about the vacant and required posts at the hospital.

The hospital caters to the residents of Kullu, Lahaul and some parts of Mandi district. As many as 21 posts of paramedical staff, including lab technicians, are vacant here. There are 178 sanctioned posts in the hospital and 157 of them are occupied.

Of the nine sanctioned posts of senior lab technician, three are vacant for a long time due to which some tests could not be conducted at the laboratory on the hospital premises. Also, one post of pharmacist, one post of physiotherapist, five posts of cleaner, one post of Class-IV employee and three posts of driver are also vacant.

The 300-bed hospital receives around 450 patients at the OPDs of orthopaedics, gynaecology, paediatrics, ENT and other departments every day.

Local residents say they have urged the state government to provide a radiologist so that patients can utilise the ultrasound facility available at the hospital. Other vacant posts should also be filled on priority to ensure better health facilities.

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