Of 69 posts of medical officer in Muktsar district, only 26 filled

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 10

One after the other, government doctors in Muktsar district are resigning. In the past few months, eight doctors have put in their papers.

The last resignation was of Dr Seema Goyal, who was posted as the district epidemiologist. She quit this week.

Most of the doctors cited “personal reasons” in their resignation letters. Sources, however, say salaries in the government sector as compared with the remuneration in the private sector are low.

Of the 69 sanctioned posts of emergency and general medical officer in the district, only 26 are filled.

There is not a single medicine specialist doctor in the government sector. Further, there is just one paediatrician and that too posted at Doda village. The posts of surgeon and ENT specialist are lying vacant at the civil hospital here. Besides, there is no orthopaedician at the civil hospital in Malout.

The situation at urban dispensaries in Malout and Muktsar is no better. Neither of the dispensaries have a doctor.

Dr Ranju Singla, Chief Medical Officer, Muktsar, said: “The higher-ups have been apprised of the situation. Those who resigned cited personal reasons for quitting the government job. Dr Seema resigned because she wants to pursue research.”

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