Pharmacist solely runs Prayagraj PHC for 5 years amid doctor shortage

Prayagraj: Amid a prolonged shortage of doctors and other medical staff, the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Lalgopalganj, under the Kaudihar block of Soraon tehsil in Prayagraj, has been functioning for the past five years with only a single pharmacist acting as the sole healthcare provider, attending to 20 to 30 patients daily.

Rajesh Maurya, the pharmacist at Lalgopalganj PHC, has been unofficially fulfilling the role of a doctor, both prescribing and dispensing medicines based on what he considers the most appropriate treatment. He mentioned that, with the Medical Officer in Charge (MOIC) post remaining vacant for over five years, he refers serious cases to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kaudihar, located about 20 kilometres away.

According to the news reports, Dr. Amit Kumar, appointed MOIC of the Lalgopalganj PHC on July 3, 2020, was temporarily attached to the District Hospital in Gautambuddha Nagar during the COVID-19 pandemic on August 29, 2020, to help manage the patient surge. Since then, he has not returned to his original post. 

Also Read: Maharashtra: Over 200 health centres remain non-functional amid fund crunch