Deficient health infrastructure, doctors’ redeployment hits rural Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The people in the rural areas of Punjab are facing a double whammy in the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic. Already lagging in health facilities, the population in these areas are being deprived of basic health care facilities as doctors posted in rural dispensaries have been assigned Covid-19 duties.Majority of the rural dispensaries, the first contact point between village community and doctor, across the state have been rendered non-functional as rural medical officers (RMOs) have been assigned Covid-19 duties.The recalling of rural medical officers (RMOs) has rendered the majority of rural dispensaries -- the first contact point between village community and doctor -- across the state non-functional.Around 750 doctors of rural department are currently under control of civil surgeons of their respective districts and their services are being utilised at isolation wards, for sample collection, contact tracing, screening at airports and flu corners.There are 1,186 rural dispensaries, each catering to a population of around 10,000 persons, and where medicines are dispensed free of cost to patients. With little option, people are forced to go to private practitioners or public health centres (PHCs) of the health department which are located at about 10-20km away, increasing their chances of getting and spreading the virus.Facing difficulties, villagers have started pressing the government for sending the doctors back to the dispensaries. On August 17, panchayat of Bhawanipur village in Kapurthala submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, highlighting problems being faced by the residents due to closure of the dispensary. "Majority of people living in the village are poor and are being forced to spend Rs 100- 200 on medicine which they used to get free of cost from the village dispensary," said Charanjit Singh Bajwa, sarpanch of the village.He further added that people are reluctant to go to overcrowded district hospital due to fear of catching infection.Similarly, residents of Bhaloor village in Moga staged a protest last week demanding that doctors be posted at the dispensary or they would be forced to protest outside the office of Moga deputy commissioner.Dr Jagjit Bajwa, president of Association of Rural Medical Officers, said the rural population is facing a tough time due to non-availability of doctors at their doorstep after March 18. "We keep getting calls from people inquiring when the services will resume," said Dr Bajwa, who urged the government to find a way to open dispensaries at least for a couple of days.While minister for rural development and panchayats Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa was aware of the situation, he expressed his helplessness and maintained that the entire focus of the government is on controlling the spread of the virus and providing best care to the infected people. He said rural medical officers are playing a pivotal role. "We can’t spare any doctor till the time the situation gets under control. I feel sorry for the rural population, but there is little we can do at the moment," he said.