Sonologist at Jhajjar hospital on leave, patients at receiving end

Patients, particularly those requiring ultrasound examinations at the Civil Hospital in Jhajjar, have been at the receiving end for the past several days due to the absence of the hospital’s only sonologist, who is on leave at present.

The district health authorities do not have a substitute, leaving the patients with no choice but either to turn to private facilities where they have to pay out of their pocket or to government hospitals in nearby districts. However, the health authorities have arranged free ultrasound services for pregnant women at a private hospital under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode.

According to sources, for a long time, the Civil Hospital only has one sonologist and no ultrasound examinations are conducted during his leave due to the lack of a backup specialist. The leave spans 15 days and a notice informing the patients of this has been pasted at the hospital’s ultrasound room.

“In the absence of the sonologist, the patients are referred to the PGIMS-Rohtak, but many avoid going there due to the distance of about 35 km. Instead, they opt for private diagnostic centres in Jhajjar, where they can receive immediate reports and continue the treatment the same day,” said a doctor at the Civil Hospital.

Sawan, a resident of Dujana village, came to the hospital on Monday with pain due to kidney stones. “The doctor advised an ultrasound, but since it was not available at the hospital, I had to get it done at a private facility, which charged me Rs 700, while the test facility is free of cost at the Civil Hospital” he said.

Similarly, Narendra from Kot village shared his experience: “I had stomach pain, and the doctor recommended an ultrasound. At the ultrasound room, I saw a notice saying the doctor was on leave until July 30. Someone there told me that a private hospital was doing a free test, but when I went there, they asked for Rs 700. When I questioned them, they said the free service is only for pregnant women.”

Dr Naresh Dahiya, Senior Medical Officer of the Civil Hospital, could not be contacted while Dr Jai Mala, Civil Surgeon, Jhajjar, said a request for a second sonologist had been sent to the headquarters. She admitted that the patients did face difficulties when the lone sonologist was on leave. “We have ensured that pregnant women receive free ultrasound services at a private facility under the PPP arrangement,” Dr Jai Mala added.

Haryana Tribune