Ajay Sharma
Sunderbani, July 12: Continued attachment of laboratory staff from the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Sunderbani to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Office in Rajouri, not only adversely impacts the functioning of the hospital but also raises questions about alleged ‘unholy’ nexus between officers and private diagnostic centres.
According to the whistleblower, two laboratory employees, including a Laboratory Assistant and a Senior Laboratory Assistant, have remained attached to the CMO Office for several years despite being sanctioned to work at SDH Sunderbani.
“Their prolonged absence has resulted in a shortage of laboratory staff at the hospital,” said whistleblower, adding that the reduced workforce has led to long queues for diagnostic tests, causing inconvenience to patients.
Whistleblower has alleged that some patients are compelled to seek laboratory investigations from private diagnostic centres at their own expense due to delays in testing at the government hospital.
“Due to dearth of proper staff, the diagnostic centers gets swarmed with patients, forcing many to visit private diagnostic centres, which puts huge burden on their pockets,” said whistleblower, alleging that it appears there is a nexus between health officers and private diagnostic centres.
The responsibility of this sorry state of affairs at the hospital solely lies on the Block Medical Officer and the Chief Medical Officer, who have approved or continuing these staff attachments.
Meanwhile, locals in the area have urged the Health Department to review the arrangement and ensure that adequate laboratory staff are posted at SDH Sunderbani to provide timely services to patients.
A demand has also been made for the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the Director Health Services Jammu, the Chief Secretary, and the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, to investigate the matter and take appropriate action.
