Haryana: 6 Lady Medical Officers appointed at Karnal Civil Hospital

Karnal: Amid the shortage of gynaecology specialists at Karnal Civil hospital, the health department has added six new Lady Medical Officers (LMOs) ignoring the demand for specialists required at the hospital.

The number has increased to eight in total after six LMOs have been appointed at the hospital with existing two at the moment. However, the hospital is currently reeling under an acute shortage of gynaecology specialists for the past several months.

The fact has been ignored with the explanation that only normal deliveries are performed at the hospital. Patients with complicated cases have to travel to other hospitals despite having one nearby. Even patients with the possibility of having normal delivery were referred to Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC) for treatment.

Also read- 93 Doctors Appointed At Karnal Government Hospitals

A local resident told The Tribune, "During her pregnancy, my wife had been receiving treatment at the Civil Hospital, but when it was time for the delivery, I was asked to take my wife to the KCGMC for a C-section. But the doctors there delivered the baby by following the procedure of a normal delivery."

Earlier, a gynaecologist left the duty after being deputed for 14 days. Now the position is lying vacant. The newly appointed LMOs are reported to be responsible for duties related to medical assistance at the OPD and the IPD, deliveries, hospital board cases, medico-legal cases, postpartum, and routine medical examinations.

The Civil hospital received 16 CV of LMOs, out of which only six was given the charge of the post in the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.

An official said, "In the absence of the specialists, high-risk cases and the cases of C-section deliveries are referred to the Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC). Only normal deliveries are being carried out here."

As per The Tribune, the number of patients has doubled yet no specialists have been appointed or deputed thus leaving the post vacant. Approximately 150 patients visit the OPD of the gynaecology unit daily, and 200 deliveries are performed here each month on average.

In response to the lack of specialists at the hospital, Dr. Piyush Sharma, principal medical officer (PMO) said, "We have already sent a request to fill the vacant posts of gynaecology specialists. Besides, we have also approached private practitioners for conducting C-section delivery procedures, as per the policy of the National Health Mission. We offered them remuneration on the basis of the case, but nobody showed interest."

Also read- Five Persons Of Karnal Private Hospital Booked For Allegedly Manhandling Drug Department Team