Rasoolpura’s PHC struggles due to lack of doctors

Rasoolpura: Covering over 1.3 lakh (Rasoolpura – Ward 2) population the Primary Health Care Centre in one of the biggest slums near Begumpet struggles to take care of over 100 patients each day, with available staff of three which includes a junior doctor and two nurses.

According to estimates, the Rasoolpura (Ward 2) has 1, 37 ,000 population. On an average close to 80 outpatients are being treated in a day at the primary health care centre. At the time of climate change, especially during monsoon the number of outpatients reaching to the health centre increases to 100. But, there has been only one junior doctor (assisted by two nurses), available at the primary health care center to treat patients.

“We want the government to deploy senior doctors rather continuing with short staff. A single junior doctor has to deal the all medical cases. If more and experienced doctors are available, it will benefit us and people would not spend their hard earned money in private hospitals for treatment,” said S Nayeem of Basti Vikas Manch.

The patients have to wait for long queues for availing the services and the way overcrowding is witnessed at the clinic people lose their patience as they wait outside for hours at a stretch. “It is a tough job to wait for our turn as there is only one doctor available. It is horrible when the crowd is more; patients are forced to stand outside the hospital,” said Tulasi, patient.

On other hand, as of now, the staff members are sending away the patients coming for insulin injections. They are told to visit private hospitals for the next fifteen days. One of the patients came to take treatment for sugar said, “Non-availability of medicine to treat sugar at PHC, I am forced to visit private hospital now.” However, Divya, medical officer and junior doctor says the health center is equipped with best pharmacy that has all medicines.

In the meantime, the state wide ambitious Kanti Velugu programme was also started in the same centre creating congestion, as huge response was seen during the first two days. “As the Kanti Velugu programme was launched in PHC on August 15 to benefit the people in Rasoolpura, it would continue for few more days until the community hall or any other place is found free to shift,” said Divya.