District Medical Officer Dr. Haseena Mohammed on Wednesday made a surprise visit to the Maharaja’s Government Hospital, Karuvelipady, to take stock of the situation there.
The Kerala High Court had directed the DMO to submit a report on the issue of staff shortage at the hospital following a complaint filed by corporation councillor Thampi Subrahmanian. There are now 12 doctors working at the hospital. Out of 11, four were provided by the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). There was now a shortage of three doctors, said the DMO.
The court had also asked to submit details of the outpatient and inpatient numbers at the hospital over the last two months. Mr. Subramaniam told The Hindu that at the time of the inspection, none of the doctors were available in the OP section. The DMO was present in the hospital from 8.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. One of the doctors came in late as the DMO was about to leave, he said.
He said he had filed a complaint because basic healthcare facilities were not available in the hospital.
Patients waiting at the hospital blamed the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the staff.
Dr. Mohammed told The Hindu that there was shortage of doctors in the health services and many hospitals were facing the issue.
