Dispensary staff on cricket duty, patients suffer

MOHALI: It is sheer apathy on the part of health authorities, holding hundreds of residents for ransom, in the wake of Champions trophy matches scheduled at PCA stadium, Mohali. Many patients are left in the lurch as medical staff of some dispensaries here has been deputed at the stadium.
At government dispensary at Phase XI, 12-15 patients could be seen staring at the locked door and awaiting the doctor and pharmacist to arrive.As the dispensary is located inside a gurdwara, a caretaker informed the patients that the doctor, along with his staff, has been deputed to the stadium and would not come to the dispensary.
Sukhjinder Singh, resident of Phase XI, said he was not able to get his wounds dressed for the last four days. "I have also visited other dispensaries in Phase VII and III, but no doctor is available. I am now moving to GMCH-32 for treatment."
There are six teams of doctors and para medical staff deputed at the stadium during the match. One team comprises one doctor and two pharmacists. Even on match off days, two teams have to remain at PCA stadium for medical assistance to teams practising in the nets. This means that on any given day, at least two dispensaries have to go without adequate manpower to attend the patients reporting there.
Most of the dispensaries remain closed when the medical staff is deputed to the match venue to take care of spectators and players, in case of any injury. There was strong resentment among people against the administration, who demanded action against erring officials for overlooking the medical needs of public.
"We are not against deputing doctors at PCA, but are asking for some back up arrangement so that people get treatment," said 65-year-old Som Pal, running high fever. Citing the police department, Naresh Kumar said the health authorities should learn from district police who had dedicated 150 personnel for running police station in any eventuality.
When contacted, SP Surila, district health officer, told TOC that they were not deputing entire staff from dispensaries.
"Either a doctor or a pharmacist is deputed on match duty. If the dispensaries are found locked, then it is a matter of concern and we will look into the matter," he said.