Due to lack of staff, excellent medical facilities are not available in CHC Koti

Due to staff shortages and mismanagement, the Community Health Center in Koti, Mashobra block, is in a state of disrepair. However, the department is not taking any action. In a joint statement, Koti Panchayat head Ramesh Sharma, Deputy Head Raja Ram, Panchayat Committee members Arvind Sharma, Dr. Vishwabandhu Joshi, Naveen, Pawan Sharma, and local residents said that during his visit to Koti last year, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu had announced the provision of ten indoor beds for patients and the availability of national ambulance service at the CHC Koti, but this has not been fulfilled. They say that this hospital serves seven panchayats in the area, but the government’s claims of providing quality health services are proving to be hollow.

Head Ramesh Sharma stated that only one doctor of medicine is serving at the CHC Koti, while one post is vacant. When the doctor is on leave, patients have to travel to Junga or Chail for minor treatment. The dentist’s position is filled, but the hospital lacks chairs or equipment for dental treatment. Several positions, including those of a staff nurse and pharmacist, are vacant at the CHC. Patients face difficulties due to the lack of X-ray facilities.

He said that in 2017, former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh upgraded the hospital’s status from a PHC to a CHC. He said that the department had installed a CHC sign, but no improvements have been made to date. Ramesh Sharma pointed out that the 108 National Ambulance Service is not available at any health institution except the Kasumpti constituency of Mashobra, even though Mashobra is located at the other end of the district.

Medical Incharge CHC Koti Dr. Nikita Soham said that correspondence has been made with the higher officials of the department regarding the shortage of staff.