CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, August 5: The ultrasound machines in the majority of Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the state have been kept as showpieces as they are not repaired or replaced if it becomes non-functional, as reported by a doctor in Khunti CHC requesting anonymity.
“The machines are kept as showpieces in many CHCs because they hardly work for two to three months. Even if it is not functioning, no one bothers to repair it or change it,” the doctor informed Lagatar24.com.
He further informed that apart from the Khunti CHC, which is in an old building, every other CHC has an ultrasound machine but most of them are non-functional.
“These machines are supposed to be taken proper care of. The power cut issues in these particular areas are so common that the majority of time there is no electricity. At times, patients have to wait for hours to get the test done,” the doctor added.
Jharkhand has 188 sanctioned CHCs, of which 171 are operational, according to state records. This only makes up 68 percent of the total needed, according to the population ratio.
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Jharkhand requires 1,096 PHCs in total to serve a population of over 3.29 crore, however, the state has only authorized 330 PHCs, of which 291 are operational. While Jharkhand has a total of 3,958 HSCs, IPHS guidelines call for 6,580.
The doctor at Khunti further explained the plights faced by them working in rural areas.
“The Sadar Hospital has everything that is needed but when it comes to CHCs, the condition is not good. We do not have half the medicines that are supposed to be in a CHC. Many times we do not even have cough syrups,” he said.
He further added that the stock of medicines which are supplied to the CHC through pharmacies are old stocks and just 3-4 months away from expiring. Fresh stock is not supplied to CHCs.
“When it comes to security there is nothing. Every CHC has just one guard and that guard is also of no use. At night, these guards only sleep and if there is any incident that happens at night then it becomes quite scary,” he added.
Lagatar24.com tried to contact the Civil Surgeon of Khunti in order to know more about the issue but after several attempts there was no response from his end.
