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The Newz Radar
CHAMBA: The Choori Community Health Centre (CHC) in Bharmour sub-division of Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh is confronting a severe deficit of medical staff, notably doctors, severely impeding its capacity to deliver essential healthcare services to the local populace.
While other CHCs in Himachal Pradesh boast of sanctioned positions of four to six doctors, the Choori CHC had only one doctor’s post. Of the 60 block-level positions at the CHC, 50 remain vacant, exacerbating the healthcare crisis in the area.
The dearth of staff and basic facilities has created a dire situation where patients are denied admission and deliveries for pregnant women are not conducted. Moreover, the X-ray machine, intended for patient convenience, has deteriorated without a technician.
Compounding these challenges, the CHC ceases patient treatment after 4 pm, depriving the local population of medical care during evening hours. The CHC serves as the sole healthcare institution between Chamba and Bharmour, catering to a population of 70,000 spread across 24 panchayats within Bharmour Assembly constituency.
Despite its establishment in 1980, the CHC’s condition has deteriorated over the years due to persistent staff shortage and inadequate facilities. The lack of emergency services has rendered the CHC ineffective in addressing urgent medical needs.
Concerns have been raised by the community regarding the limited operational hours, with patients only receiving care from 10 am to 4 pm, hindering access to healthcare during emergencies. Numerous complaints from the public regarding these persistent shortcomings have gone unanswered, and successive governments have failed to instigate meaningful change.
Even during the tenure of the previous BJP government, staff and other issues plagued the Choori CHC. Despite more than 100 patients seeking medical attention daily, there is a glaring absence of a systematic approach to admit patients, leaving the local community in a precarious healthcare situation.
