early times report
JAMMU, Aug 28: As most of the doctors posted in the region's far-flung areas allegedly prefer private practice to discharging their duties, patients continue to suffer there.
In the remote and backward areas, the medical staff is away from the "watchful" eyes of the authorities concerned. At all such places, there still is a lack of proper check on the healthcare standards, according to official sources.
"Taking advantage of the prevailing conditions, some doctors posted in such areas prefer private practice even during office timings as a result of which the patients suffer," sources said.
"Not only this, some doctors follow the technique of "rotational duties" wherein a doctor remains in the town for a week and the other one goes on unofficial leave and the practice is followed by the other doctor," the sources added.
Quoting some people from Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi and Doda, sources alleged that the doctors posted in PHCs, or dispensaries in some villages "come there occasionally." They complained that since they lived in far-flung and backward areas, the medical staff posted there had allegedly been taking full advantage of the lack of check.
"The authorities in the health department don't seem to be interested in improving the healthcare facilities in the far-flung areas. We hope that the government will do something in this regard soon," said Mohammad Sharief of Doda.
Army had, however, opened dispensaries in areas like Pindi in Poonch to provide medicare facilities to the people.
Mohammad Sultan of Pindi said prior to the opening of the PHC in his village, patients had to be brought to Poonch town for their treatment. Now, even lady doctors were available in the village, he added.
He hoped that the condition of PHCs would improve soon in the remote areas of the region.
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