Shortage of staff at Primary Health Centre (PHC) Quepem has not just increased hardship of the patients for treatment, but the doctors, nurses and other staff are also feeling the heat as the number of outpatients has increased over the last few months.
QUEPEM
The patients visiting PHC Quepem complained that registration itself takes over 1 hour on normal days and then the queues for checkup and later at medicine counter increases the stress on the patients.
Anthony T Fernandes, a member of Quepem Forum, who visited PHC said: "The government should ensure that the staff is properly trained for jobs they are assigned to."
When contacted, Health Officer Shaila Devari is on leave, but a source from PHC on condition of anonymity said there is delay for registration due to computerisation, where all details of the patients need to be recorded and over 200 patients per day avail various medical facilities. "The services will be improved in the coming days," said the source.
Replying to the accusations of the patients that there is also long waiting period for immunisation, he said the health officer has already requested for more staff to tackle all the shortcomings, but he couldn't provide any document as he had no access to the documents.
Filomena Pinto of Igramoll-Quepem said although the main door is closed at noon, doctors treat all the patients even if it is 1.30 pm and after that they go for lunch break. She appreciated the hardship and friendly approach of the doctors although they work tirelessly.
Though the newly constructed extension of PHC Quepem is officially not inaugurated, increase in number of OPD patients has forced the government to shift some facilities into the new building. From July, the government commenced a four-bedded casualty ward with doctor on duty for 24 hours.
It was further disclosed that in coming days, there will be a mobile X-Ray machine installed at the hospital and the recently installed ECG facility has become a lifesaver as patients can get timely treatment.
Presently, there are services like Homeopathy, Dental, Opthalmic and immunisation other than normal OPD at PHC Quepem.
Patricia Fernandes, AAP coordinator of Quepem who was visiting the PHC Quepem, said it's sad that all facilities are yet to start although the building was completed 4 years back. "People must appreciate the services provided at the PHC rather than indulging in cheap publicity involving inauguration of the hospital," she said.
