No paediatrician, radiologist at 200-bed Nurpur hospital, healthcare services hit

According to Medical Superintendent Dr Anupama Sharma, the hospital has 34 sanctioned posts of doctors but only 19 are currently working. The available specialists include two physicians, two gynaecologists, two anaesthetists and one each in orthopaedics, general surgery, ENT, psychiatry, microbiology and forensic medicine.

Dr Sharma said the hospital also required additional supporting and paramedical staff, besides strengthening of security and sanitation manpower. She said the matter had been brought to the notice of the higher authorities.

The department has failed to fill the paediatrician post despite several attempts. In April last year, a paediatrician and a radiologist were posted to Nurpur, but neither joined. In September, a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist were posted to the hospital. Both reportedly served for a few months before securing fresh postings elsewhere. In November, another paediatrician was posted to Nurpur but again failed to join.

The repeated issuance of posting orders without doctors actually joining has left residents questioning the effectiveness of the government’s transfer and posting mechanism. They said the situation was adversely affecting patients who were being forced to seek specialised treatment at bigger hospitals.

The hospital, which records an average daily OPD footfall of around 500, caters to a large population of Nurpur, Jawali, Indora and Fatehpur constituencies, besides Bhatiyat in neighbouring Chamba district.

Residents have also raised concern over the oxygen generation plant, which has reportedly remained non-functional for the past few months. The shortage of specialists is not confined to Nurpur, as doctors transferred from government medical colleges are often reluctant to join civil hospitals, resulting in staff shortages at several key health institutions.

Residents alleged that Nurpur was being neglected in healthcare matters because the constituency is represented by a BJP MLA. They also criticised local MLA Ranbir Singh Nikka for failing to mount adequate pressure on the government to fill the vacant posts and make the MCH functional.