GOLAGHAT, May 16 � The Golaghat Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital situated in Golaghat town caters to the healthcare needs of the entire district covering three subdivisions � Bokakhat, Dhansiri and Golaghat. But due to shortage of doctors, the people of the entire district have been deprived of getting proper healthcare service.
As a result, the hospital is facing problems in functioning. Dr Apurba Hazarika, the superintendent of the KK Civil Hospital, told mediapersons recently that the district hospital has only 28 doctors including one homoeopathic and one Ayurvedic doctor. Among them, only two gynaecologists have to look after the female patients and they have to work round the clock daily which is really a matter of serious concern.
Dr Hazarika further said that from 2009 up to April this year, total of 5, 279 maternity cases had been done and regular caesarian delivery cases were also done. Dr Hazarika also appreciated the NRHM which provides doctors and nurses for the hospital. The hospital authority and the Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA), Golaghat unit had demanded the State Health Department to appoint at least ten doctors and thirty nurses for the smooth running of the hospital.
Due to lack of doctors and nurses, the 120-bed civil hospital has to provide medical treatment to 300 patients daily and as a result the hospital authority is facing great trouble. Recently, an unsavoury incident took place in the hospital during the delivery case of a woman whom Dr Mohan Saikia, a gynaecologist of the hospital, was operating on.
When post-operation complications developed, he asked the family of the patient to carry her to a higher hospital for urgent treatment. But the family members at the instigation of the attendants assaulted Dr Mohon Saikia. Dr Saika was taken to hospital for treatment.
During that time, a chaotic situation arose and police personnel had to control the situation.
An emergency meeting of AMSA, Golaghat unit was held later at the hospital conference room which was presided over by Dr HK Hazarika, president, AMSA, Golaghat and some resolutions were adopted. The meeting condemned the incident of assault on Dr Mohan Saikia who was on emergency duty in the casualty room. The association resolved to resort to an agitational programme and urge the district authority to provide police picket immediately inside the hospital campus.
Another meeting was held in which Harendra Nath Bora, Deputy Commissioner, M Chetia, SP, M Saikia, office-in-charge Golaghat PS, Dr A Barua, chairman, GMB discussed in detail the situation and decided to adopt security measures at the hospital campus. The meeting was attended by Dr P Bhuyan, Joint-Director, Health Services, Golaghat, doctors and nurses and newsmen of the locality.
It may be pertinent to mention here several other incidents of assault on doctors by unsocial elements of neighbouring places created a chaotic situation in the hospital before. The local people demanded of the district administration to take stern measures against the culprits who assaulted the doctors.
