Health centre faces acute shortage of staff

All the equipment could not be used effectively in the centre

The long pending demands of the residents to have a community health centre was realised two years ago. However, the shortage employees in the centre has been hampering the health services that are available to the public.

About 50 per cent of the sanctioned posts are lying vacant in the health centre. There is shortage of gynaecologist, general practitioner, surgeon and a dentist. Apart from this, the post of pharmacist, hospital superintendent, clerk, typists, nurse (woman)m health assistant (male) are also lying vacant, thus affecting the administration of the hospital.

The centre was built at an estimated cost of Rs two crore. At present, there is one permanent doctor and another on deputation working in the hospital. The government had sanctioned 12 D grade employees to the centre, to maintain cleanliness in and around the centre. However, as many as 11 posts are lying vacant.

Owing to the shortage of employees, the equipment could not be used effectively. Though there are no shortage of staff in x-ray and laboratory, owing to the lack of doctors, there is lack of work load.

The rooms and a operation theatre in the first floor of the centre has not been utilised so far.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, CPI leader Gopal Shetty said that there is lack of will power on the part of Zilla Panchayat members and MLA to get the lying vacancies filled. “We had staged a protest in the past to start the work on the building,” he said.