No programme officers in Fazilka, health services hit

Our Correspondent
Fazilka, August 21

After his joining on August 12, Civil Surgeon Dr NK Aggarwal was transferred again from Fazilka to Chandigarh on Wednesday. It was only after many months that the post was filled with the joining of Dr Aggarwal.

He is now the Deputy Director, Internal Administration, in the office of the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Chandigarh. He may also be given an additional charge of an isolation facility at Gian Sagar Hospital, Banur. However, he will continue to withdraw the salary given to a Civil Surgeon.

The move came at a time when all posts of programme officers at the Civil Surgeon’s office here have been lying vacant, adversely affecting the health services in the border district during the prevailing Covid crisis.

Dr Chander Mohan Kataria, Assistant Civil Surgeon, has been asked to take the additional charge of Civil Surgeon.

The number of posts lying vacant include those of deputy medical commissioner, district health officer, district immunisation officer, district family planning officer, district epidemiologist and district tuberculosis officer. Besides, specialist doctors are not available at the district hospital, while the lone specialist doctor has proceeded on leave.

The ultrasound and dialysis unit at the district hospital has been lying shut for the want of doctor. As a result, patients are being compelled to pay a hefty amount to private hospitals in the adjoining Sriganganagar town.