Jajpur: After Khurda, another case of pharmacist treating patients due to lack of staff, especially doctors has surfaced from Kolhasingh Medical Centre under Badachana block of Jajpur district.

According to reports, residents of nearly 45 villages are dependent on the medical centre but they are unable to get a well facilitated medical service.

A pharmacist and a fourth grade staff provide health services at the medical. As per post allotment, the medical centre should consist a doctor, pharmacist, nurse and two fourth grade staff.

“Nearly five Gram Panchayat residents are dependent on the medical. But due to the non-availability of doctor we are deprived of the basic facilities of a hospital. There is a pharmacist who is handling the work but for consulting a doctor we have to travel to Cuttack,” local resident, Santanu Kumar Das alleged.

Since the pharmacist is handling the medical in the absence of a doctor, patients prefer visiting Badachana Community Health Centre or SCB Medical in Cuttack for consulting a doctor and have to face problems in travelling the distance.

Locals alleged, despite of regular requests the administration has failed to solve their problem.

“In the absence of a doctor I am trying best to provide service to the patients,” said Pharmacist, Pradeep Kumar Das. “Higher authorities have been informed regarding the problems,” he added.

Replying to the issue, Chief District Medical Officer, Phanindra Panigrahi said, “I will carry out a detailed investigation about the issue of non-availability of doctors in the Kolhasingh Medical Centre and as a whole we have to accept the fact that there is shortage of doctors across the State.”

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