Punjab: Another Doctor quits job at Aam Aadmi Clinic

Ferozepur: Just a few days after the launch of mohalla clinics in the city, another doctor has tendered his resignation citing a personal reason.

After the opening of the Aam Aadmi Mohalla clinics launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on August 15, doctors started to resign from the clinics citing various reasons.

The doctor identified as Dr Ranjit Singh tendered his resignation after working at the OPD and said "I was hopeful of getting appointed as an eye specialist, but I was working at the OPD. Thus, I was not satisfied. "I was not feeling comfortable. Earlier, I had been practising as a private eye specialist, but working here for a few days was a different experience." 

Also read- Punjab: Doctor Resigns From Aam Aadmi Clinic

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that an MBBS doctor posted at an "Aam Aadmi clinic" had tendered his resignation, three days after the opening of the health facility and the reason for the resignation was unknown.

However, the health department gave the charge to Dr Aishani, who was posted at the Ferozepur Civil Hospital after Dr Ranjit resigned from the post. She had taken the charge on Friday.

It was reported that staff members have been deputed from other hospitals to operate the clinic, with no permanent doctors yet employed.

The clinic is also experiencing a shortage of manpower due to doctors not showing up after being appointed. Therefore, the health department had to search for manpower after a pharmacist and clinical assistant failed to appear at the mohalla clinic on August 15.

Punjab Health Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra earlier said that 109 mohalla clinics will be set up by the end of this financial year in the state.

He also said that every mohalla clinic will have one medical officer, pharmacist, clinic assistant and helping staff but many of the clinics are now either reeling under a shortage of adequate manpower or doctors resigning from the post without citing valid reasons.

As a result, patients are also facing inconvenience at the clinics with delayed treatments and waiting for proper medical attention. Providing patients with an easy and accessible treatment facility through mohalla clinics is slowly starting to backfire.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Anil Kumar told The Tribune, "Two staffers have been appointed. Though the doctor is on deputation, very soon permanent appointment will also be made."

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