Balehonnur PHC lacks doctors,'D' grade employees

The doctors are hardly available in the hospital during night and even in case they are available they do not respond to the problems of the patients.

There are nine sub centres which come under the limits of Balehonnur PHC. The PHC has 12 beds and two doctors. The Chief Medical Officer Dr Seema who travels from Chikmagalur to Balehonnur regularly has turned out to be a problem as the patients do not get to meet her whenever they are in need. Another doctor Sathish works in this PHC for three days and rest of the three days in Koppa.  The PHC has shortage of ‘D’ Group employees. Dr Seema said “the hospital has no proper staff to examine the dead body in case of suicide, murder or other accidents. About 1,200 to 1300 out patients are treated in the hospital every month. The full-fledged X-ray lab is not utilised to the maximum extent. Though dental clinic has all the facilities, the dentists post is lying vacant.”

Several organisations had staged protest against the poor condition of the PHC. The people of the region have been demanding the authorities to upgrade the PHC. A staff alleged that the medicines given to the patients in this hospital were of poor quality.