Berhampur: Healthcare services in the gastroenterology department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) here has been severely affected as a lone doctor is struggling to manage the gastro-medicine wing of the department with several posts lying vacant.
As no doctor is there in the surgery wing, many patients needing surgery have to return disappointed, a report said. The gastroenterology department comprises gastro-medicine and gastro-surgery units.
Various schemes like Niramaya, Nidan and health cards have been launched by the state government to ensure quality treatment to patients.
The state government is also working to equip the hospitals in the state with better infrastructure so that no patient will be deprived of necessary and quality treatment.
As part of this move, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced for establishment of a gastroenterology department comprising gastro-medicine and gastro-surgery at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur in March.
The government had then sanctioned 19 posts of doctors and non-teaching staff for both the units which include 10 for gastrosurgery and nine for the gastromedicine department.
However, not a single doctor has been appointed in the department since then. A doctor of the general medicine department is in dual charge of the two units.
The outdoor service of the department is available once in a week. However, healthcare services have been severely hit in the department due to lack of adequate number of doctors.
Locals alleged, it is unfortunate that a lone doctor shoulders the responsibilities of the whole department while patients have been deprived of proper healthcare services here.
PNN