NAROWAL: As many as 112 posts, including 56 slots of doctors and specialists, have been lying vacant at Narowal DHQ Hospital for the last many years. The sanctioned strength is 310.

This was claimed by Medical Superintendent Dr Muhammad Afzal Rajput here on Tuesday.

He said 56 vacant posts of doctors included specialists, senior medical officers and medical officers while other 56 posts were of nursing and paramedical staff.

He said 15 vacant posts of specialists included cardiologist, nephrologist, radiologist, pathologist, urologist, gynaecologist, neurosurgeon and ENT specialist.

He said around 1,500 outdoor and 350 emergency patients visited the hospital on a daily basis.

“Eight posts including that of additional medical superintendent, deputy medical superintendents, assistant medial superintendents are also vacant.”

It merits mentioning that the infirmary was elevated to the status of DHQ Hospital in 1991 and it has been facing shortage of medical staff since then as a result people have to go to other cities for treatment.

Poor patients are the most hit by the staff shortage as they can neither afford private treatment nor go to other cities.

Narowal EDO Health Dr Zubair Akhter Chawala said he had time and again requested his department for the appointment of specialists and senior doctors at the hospital. He said: “The district government has initiated the recruitment of paramedical and support staff and soon shortage will be alleviated.”

Meanwhile, traders and civil society organisations have appealed to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of the situation and manage appointment of staff.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2015

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