Subhash Mahajan
Dalhousie
The Civil Hospital in Dalhousie is facing a serious shortage of doctors after the transfer of two key medical officers, Dr. Atri and Dr. Mrs. Atri. Out of the 11–12 sanctioned posts for specialist and general doctors, only 8–9 were filled earlier. With these transfers, the hospital will now operate with just 6–7 doctors, raising concerns about the impact on healthcare services.
LBS Amir Chand Trust Chairman Ashok Mahajan and Himotkarsh social organization president Satpal Sharma said that if two doctors were transferred, replacements should have been appointed immediately. The absence of new postings, they added, has severely affected the hospital’s functioning.
They emphasized that the Civil Hospital serves not only Dalhousie residents but also tourists and people from nearby villages. “The hospital will now run with nearly half its sanctioned strength, which will badly affect healthcare delivery,” they said.
Both senior citizens urged the Himachal Pradesh government to fill all 11–12 sanctioned posts at the earliest, or at least appoint two doctors in place of those transferred.
It is noteworthy that the LBS Amir Chand Trust had funded the construction of the hospital’s emergency block. Chairman Ashok Mahajan warned that with fewer doctors, even emergency services could suffer significantly.
