Posts of specialist doctors vacant in Fazilka hospital

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, May 3

The Youth Congress has said it will initiate a hunger strike to press their demand for filling up the vacant posts of specialist doctors at the local Civil Hospital.

Ranjam Kamra, vice-president, Youth Congress, Fazilka, said most of the posts of specialist doctors had been lying vacant for a long time as doctors had left the Fazilka Civil Hospital during and opened private clinics due to “wrong” policies of the state government.

Kamra rued that in the home constituency of Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani, key posts of specialist doctors, including that of gynaecologist, eye surgeon, paediatrician, orthopedic, dermatologist, general surgeon, other specialist doctors and post of some medical officers were lying vacant. 

“Poor patients are at the receiving end as they have to shell out extra money for their treatment in private hospitals in the absence of specialist doctors in the government hospital,” said Kamra. 

He said if the posts are not filled in 11 days, the Youth Congress would initiate a hunger strike in front of the hospital. The matter would be brought to the knowledge of senior Congress leaders Capt Amarinder Singh and Congress Legislature Party Leader Sunil Jakhar to raise the issue at the state level to put a pressure on the SAD-BJP government, added Kamra. 

Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Fazilka, Dr D K Bhukkal said three medical specialists had been posted at the local hospital about a week ago. However, none of the new appointees have joined duty.