Gynecology Department Overburdened at Base Hospital, Patients Suffer

CMS refuses to send doctors; Public appeals to DM and CMO for urgent solution

Almora.
The Gynecology (Obstetrics and Gynaecology) Department at Base Medical College, Almora is facing a severe shortage of doctors, causing significant inconvenience to patients, especially pregnant women. Currently, Dr. Usha Rawat is the only gynecologist available in the department, while the other two doctors are either on leave or posted elsewhere, placing a tremendous workload on the lone doctor.

Adding to the crisis, despite three gynecology specialists being posted at the Almora District Hospital, they are reportedly referring patients to Base Hospital instead of treating them at their own facility. In serious cases, patients referred from Base Hospital are being further sent to Sushila Tiwari Hospital in Haldwani, leading to mental, financial, and physical stress for patients and their families.

Concerned over the deteriorating situation, local representatives and residents have appealed to the District Magistrate (DM) and Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to depute at least one gynecologist on a part-time basis to Base Medical College to alleviate the patient burden.

However, when approached, the Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) of the District Hospital categorically refused to send any doctor, stating an inability to provide staff from his end.

This refusal has angered local citizens, who are now demanding that the referral system be immediately halted and that the district administration intervene to provide a quick and effective resolution. They argue that if the district hospital has sufficient gynecology staff, one doctor should be temporarily assigned to the base hospital to support the department during this crisis.

In the interest of public welfare, residents urge the administration to treat this matter with urgency so that pregnant women and patients with gynecological issues receive proper treatment locally without facing the distress of being referred to far-off hospitals.