Specialist shortage disrupts services at Pollachi Government Hospital
Doctor
Coimbatore: Members of the Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee of the Coimbatore District Government Headquarters Hospital, along with residents, have urged the state authorities to post key specialists at the Pollachi government hospital, noting that although it has 462 inpatient beds, it lacks experts in cardiothoracic surgery, neurology and dermatology.
According to The New Indian Express news report, the members said the non-availability of these services compels patients to make trips to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital for specialised consultations. The district hospital, which functions as a well-equipped taluk-level institution, caters to more than 1,500 outpatients every day and offers a range of services through departments such as internal medicine, surgery, child health, obstetrics and gynaecology, ear, nose and throat care, orthopaedics, trauma and emergency services, as well as intensive cardiac care supported by designated specialists.
Explaining the situation, R Vellai Nataraj, a member of the Healthcare Beneficiaries Welfare Committee of the hospital, stated that the hospital caters to the needs of people belonging to the rural areas and villages of Valparai and Udumalai, people are often rushed in emergency to get high-quality treatment. They even have to go to seek treatment in a private hospital or the CMCH, which is almost 41 km away. Not only does the hospital have to bear the brunt of the economic crisis, as they have to spend a lot of money on private hospitals and on all the travelling, reports the Daily.
“Many people suffering from conditions related to the heart, skin, and nerves are being referred to CMCH, citing the unavailability of specialists. Appointment of a dermatologist, which had been a 14-year-long demand, was addressed four years ago. But soon, the doctor was transferred to Vettaikkaranpudur GH,” he added.
One of the senior officials from the health department pointed out that even at the medical college hospital, there is often scarcity of neurologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, filling up the similar posts at a taluk-level hospital even becomes more difficult.
“Moreover, the hospital is running with the full-sanctioned strength of doctors, sanctioned several years ago. At present, there is a need to revise the sanctioned strength, and the appointment of specialists could be considered during the revision," the officer added. Meanwhile, another officer said that dermatologists from a neighbouring hospital might be roped in to serve in the Pollachi GH, once every week.
