Kullu: Overburdening the already short-staffed Kullu Regional Hospital, nearly 72 posts of the newly inaugurated maternity and child health (MCH) section are lying vacant and is currently functioning with the existing staff.
The new section, which was constructed at the cost of Rs 12.95 crore with a capacity of 100 beds was inaugurated around seven months ago, by the then CM of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur on June 18, 2022.
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The vacant posts of the new section are of two gynaecologists, two paediatricians, one anaesthetist, one radiologist, eight medical officers, one matron and 20 staff nurses.
The new unit comprises of two gynae OPDs and two pediatric OPDs, for which 72 posts were created. A letter was written by the hospital management to the Director, Health, on June 23, 2022, regarding this, but the issue has not been addressed so far.
People from around four districts, including Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Mandi and Chamba come to the hospital for treatment, and the majority of the beds in the new section remain occupied, reports the Tribune India. The hospital is already overburdened due to the shortage of doctors.
Hospital Medical Superintendent Naresh Chand said the Health Directorate was informed of the 72 vacancies. Kullu Chief Medical Officer Nag Raj Panwar stated that the government knows about the vacancies, and added that better facilities would be created at the MCH section after the vacant posts are filled. He further added that the Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sunder Singh Thakur is looking into the matter.
The BJP is alleged to have inaugurated the MCH section in haste due to the Assembly elections, as per sources, without filling up the vacancies. The newly appointed congress government is also not addressing the issue.
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