Rs 5.5 crore eye hospital at Ferozepur Civil Hospital remains non-functional amid doctor shortage
Ferozepur: In a disturbing incident highlighting the state of healthcare infrastructure, a state-of-the-art eye hospital built at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore on the premises of the Civil Hospital remains largely non-functional, with expensive medical equipment lying unused, specialist doctors in short supply, and basic amenities poorly maintained.
According to the news reports, inaugurated in 2014 during the SAD-BJP regime to provide advanced ophthalmic care, the hospital has failed to fulfil its intended purpose. Several doors and windows have been damaged, while fans and other equipment have reportedly been stolen. Damaged windows allow direct sunlight and dust to enter the premises, raising serious concerns about the comfort and safety of patients recovering from eye surgeries.
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The registration room on the ground floor has reportedly been converted into a storeroom. Patients also face a shortage of basic amenities, including proper drinking water facilities. The washrooms are poorly maintained, with one of the toilets attached to the patients' ward lacking even a proper door and relying on a curtain for privacy.
The shortage of super-specialist doctors has emerged as a major obstacle for patients seeking advanced eye care at the facility.
Speaking to the Tribune, a city resident who visited the hospital for an eye examination, said doctors had detected serious complications and suspected a possible link with diabetes. She was advised to undergo further evaluation at Guru Gobind Singh Government Medical College, Faridkot. “Now, either I will have to travel to Faridkot or approach a private hospital for further treatment,” she said.
Another city resident expressed concern over the conditions in which his mother was recovering after cataract surgery. He said the room where she had been admitted lacked proper windows, allowing dust from outside to enter directly and potentially posing a serious risk during her post-operative recovery.
Civil Hospital eye specialist Dr Dixit Singla said routine eye examinations and cataract surgeries were being performed at the facility. However, he acknowledged that the hospital lacked the specialist doctors required to provide super-speciality treatment.
He also confirmed that incidents involving the theft of fans and other equipment had been reported and that complaints had been lodged with the authorities on several occasions.
Dr Asmita Bajaj said the hospital did not have specialists in corneal transplantation and retinal diseases. Consequently, patients requiring such advanced treatment were referred to Government Medical College, Faridkot, or PGIMER, Chandigarh.
Expressing concern over the situation, social worker Naveen Sharma said doctors appointed to the hospital had failed to stay for extended periods. “It is a matter of concern that, in recent times, no specialist doctor has stayed here for a long period. Even doctors appointed here have managed to get themselves transferred on one pretext or another. The government must look into the reasons and appoint some good specialist doctors here,” he said, The Tribune reported.
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