Shortage of doctors hits emergency and OPD services in Aligarh district hospital

AGRA: Acute shortage of doctors and specialists has hit the OPD and emergency services at the government district hospital in Aligarh. While 30 EMOs are required for a hospital with around 300 beds as per NITI Aayog guidelines, Malkhan Singh district hospital, which has 232 beds, is being managed by only one EMO and a few specialists.

Patients and their attendants continue to have a tough time as only one Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) is working. There are no cardiologists, physicians, dermatologists and dental surgeons in the hospital.

Chief medical superintendent (CMS) of Malkhan Singh district hospital, R Krishan told TOI that they are working on a theory of maximum work in minimum facilities. He admitted that patients are facing problems. With the specialist doctors put on emergency duties, they have to wait for 2-3 hours in OPD.

The CMS said that at present, the hospital has two paediatricians on record but only one is working along with three general surgeons, one ophthalmic surgeon and one ENT surgeon. “We have written to the higher authorities to fill the vacancies and are hoping to get more doctors soon,” said Krishan.