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Staff Shortages Plague Urban Health Centers
10 Sep
Summary
- Urban health centers face severe staff shortages and infrastructure issues.
- Emergency wards are non-functional due to lack of manpower.
- Basic amenities like sitting areas and housekeeping are neglected.
Urban community health centres (UCHCs) are struggling significantly due to severe staff shortages and infrastructural deficiencies, hindering their goal of easing the load on government hospitals. A recent review revealed that a UCHC, established in December 2024, operates with only four staff members, lacking specialists and forcing patient referrals to the main Civil Hospital.
Patients encounter numerous difficulties, including the absence of proper seating and hygiene issues like stray dogs within the premises. Emergency rooms are non-operational due to insufficient personnel, and concerns persist regarding the consistent availability of prescribed medicines. While the civil surgeon acknowledges these issues and states that new facilities are being planned, residents express frustration over the lack of specialized care.
The Shimlapuri UCHC, operating for eight years, also faces manpower deficits, with seven staff against a sanctioned strength of 21. Despite having some medical officers and visiting specialists, it too refers patients for specialized treatment. Authorities at Shimlapuri are also planning service improvements, including new entrance doors and enhanced polyclinic services, with details to be shared soon.
