Unused infusion sets, dextrose bottles and emergency medicines meant to be used in 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulances lie scattered in a dilapidated building of primary health centre (PHC) in Surathkal. This was brought to the notice of the media and the officers concerned on Monday by the Democratic Youth Federation of India activists.
The DYFI activists on Monday staged protest against lack of basic facilities, including the post of Medical Officer and Lady Medical Officer, at the PHC lying vacant for nearly two years.
The DYFI activists also took District Tuberculosis Officer Ramakrishna Rao, who had been deputed by the District Health Officer to hear out the protestors to the abandoned quarters.
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Several infusion sets, dextrose bottles and other emergency medicines were found strewn around in a room. In another room worn out tyres and tubes had been dumped. Upon enquiry, the PHC personnel said the medicines were to be used on Arogya Kavacha, whose personnel were using the quarters. The PHC personnel said the Arogya Kavacha personnel vacated the quarters 10 months ago. “
While vacating they did not inform us about the medicines,” a PHC official told Dr. Rao. He then directed Bhaskar Kotian, the in-charge Medical Officer of Surathkal PHC, to issue notice to Arogya Kavacha management. He also directed Dr. Kotian to get the weeds around the dilapidated quarters removed and also write to the government for its demolition.
Earlier, the activists protested against the delay in appointing two doctors to the PHC and non-functioning of Arogya Kavacha ambulance from the Surathkal PHC. On an average 50 persons visit the PHC every day for treatment, claimed DYFI district secretary Muneer Katipalla.
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Dr. Rao said, “Orders (to appoint doctors) will be issued in three days.”