Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 7: Primary Heath Centre Dinga Amb (Tehsil headquarter) is without MBBS doctor for the last more than seven years while an Ambulance (Van) sanctioned by the Directorate of Heath Services Jammu has been retained by the BMO Hiranagar for his own official use.
Former Sarpanch of the area, Kuldeep Gupta told the Excelsior that there is sanctioned strength of three doctors at PHC Dinga Amb. This hospital feeds about eight Panchayats, including some areas of Samba and Billawar. The post of MBBS doctor is lying vacant for the last seven years. An Ayurvedic doctor and a Dental Surgeon have been placed here but post of MBBS doctor is lying vacant. The Post of Pharmacist is also vacant. The X-Ray machine is there but again the Technician is not available. He disclosed that after 2 pm, there is no doctor / medical staff available to handle emergency in this Hospital. Several patients expire before reaching Kathua or Hiranagar, as they can not get first-aid at this PHC.
Ex-Sarpanch further revealed that an Ambulance was sanctioned by the Health Department on the request of the local public to the then MoS, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma (Former MLA Billawar) but that has been retained by the Block Medical Officer, Hiranagar without any justification. He said there is old big truck (Ambulance) at Dinga Amb PHC which always remains out of order. The local public is suffering.
The matter was also brought to the notice of concerned MLA / DyCM Dr Nirmal Singh during a Public Darbar at Dinga Amb some time back, where he assured that Ambulance will report to PHC Dinga Amb within ten days but about two months are over, the Ambulance has not been returned by the CMO Kathua and BMO Hiranagar. Gupta appealed to the Health Minister Bali Bhagat to post an MBBS doctor and send their Van (Ambulance) to PHC Dinga Amb otherwise, public will be forced to come out on the road and conduct the ‘Gherao’ of BMO Hiranagar and CMO Kathua.
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