Mohammad Lateef
Pattan: 17 Sep ( KNS) Members of the Civil Society Forum Pattan on Thursday held a peaceful protest at the Tehsil Office Pattan, highlighting the shortage of doctors and medical facilities at Community Health Centre (CHC) Pattan and seeking improved healthcare services for the people of the area.
Carrying placards in their hands, the protesters raised concerns over the long-pending vacancies of specialist doctors at CHC Pattan. They said that the posts of Consultant Surgeon, Consultant Anaesthetist and Consultant Paediatrics have remained vacant for years, causing difficulties for patients who require specialised treatment.
The members also demanded that vacant posts of Medical Officers in Block Pattan be filled at the earliest to address the heavy rush of patients at the health centre.
The Civil Society Forum pointed out that CHC Pattan is situated along the National Highway and serves an area considered prone to road accidents. They expressed concern over the absence of important facilities such as a CT scan, which, they said, is particularly important for a health institution catering to accident and emergency cases.
The protesters urged the higher authorities, including the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, to sanction specialist posts, including Dermatology, Radiology and ENT, for CHC Pattan.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey also demanded that the Dialysis Centre at CHC Pattan be made functional at the earliest. According to the BMO, the required dialysis machines have already been installed and a senior technician has also been deputed to the health centre. The BMO told KNS that the centre would be made functional soon.
The Civil Society Forum further demanded additional doctors during OPD hours, particularly in view of the heavy patient rush, and sought adequate medical staff during night hours to ensure timely treatment for patients.
Later, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Tehsildar Pattan, outlining their demands and requesting that the issues be brought to the notice of the concerned higher authorities for early redressal.
The members appealed to the administration and health authorities to take immediate steps to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and manpower at CHC Pattan in the larger public interest.( KNS)