Ganderbal, Nov 24, KNT: Health services in Block Kangan are facing considerable strain as government-run hospitals continue to operate with a shortage of medical and paramedical staff. Sources said that due to this shortfall, ISM doctors and Mid-Level Health Providers, also known as Community Health Officers, are being assigned night duties at Primary Health Centres, causing disruptions in routine services.
Sources added that the government had posted one ISM doctor and one pharmacist at each Primary Health Centre in the block so that locals could access both allopathic and Unani systems of treatment. However, because of the scarcity of staff, ISM doctors are also being placed on night shifts. They are officially required to work from 10 am to 4 pm, but at many centres they are now being deployed round the clock. On days when an ISM doctor handles the night shift, no MBBS doctor is available, and since an ISM doctor can provide only Unani treatment, patients often travel to other hospitals for allopathic care.
Sources further said that MLHPs, trained healthcare workers responsible for basic diagnostics, management of common illnesses, and emergency triage at Health and Wellness Centres, are also being diverted to night duty at Primary Health Centres. These providers were meant to handle emergencies during the day at Health and Wellness Centres by checking vital parameters and referring patients to nearby hospitals when needed. Their relocation has caused inconvenience to locals arriving at both the centres for timely assistance.
According to sources, the situation has left several Primary Health Centres in Block Kangan struggling to maintain essential medical services. [KNT]
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