Berhampur: A pharmacist has been running the Aagasahi Urban Primary Health Centre for two months, defeating the objective of opening seven Urban Primary Health Centres here.
Seven Urban Primary Health Centres were opened in the town to provide better emergency medical treatment to people staying in slums and other areas here.
But the medical officer’s post at the Aagasahi Urban Primary Health Centre has been vacant for two months. As the district administration and the health department have ignored people’s repeated complaints on this, the pharmacist is managing the show.
Seven Urban Primary Health Centres were opened here in 2016 to provide better healthcare to slum dwellers. They used to operate from rented buildings till August 31, 2017. After that they were shifted to their own buildings.
Facilities for treating pregnant women and people suffering from cold, cough, fever, dental problems and those who needed vaccination were provided at the time the centres were launched.
One medical officer, a pharmacist, two staff nurses, two lab technicians, two supporting staffers and one data entry assistant were appointed at these centres.
Although the medical officer plays a vital role in these UPHCs, the post has been vacant at the Aagasahi Urban Primary Health Centre.
The people here said they have taken up the matter with the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), but no medical officer has been appointed so far.
But CDMO Dr Sadananda Mishra said 15 days ago a medical officer was appointed at the Aagasahi Urban Primary Health Centre. But his claim did not synch with facts. No medical officer had taken charge at the UPHC till Wednesday.
On an average, around 100 patients turn up at the UPHC every day. As of now services have been badly hit.
PNN