LARKANA:The Sindh High Court, Circuit Court, Hyderabad, had directed provincial Chief Secretary (CS) in Constitutional Petition No: 2303 of 2017 regarding Public Sector Hospitals to establish District Health Committees (DHC) across Sindh but the same was delayed.
In this connection a meeting was recently held under the chairmanship of CS in which all concerned were directed to implement the order of the SHC dated: 04th July, 2019 and consequently DHCs were constituted in each district through a notification issued on 16th July 2019 by the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department, Government of Sindh, Karachi, and relevant Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district was appointed as its Chairman and members of which include Additional DC, District Health Officer (DHO), Head of the Teaching Hospital (if any), Medical superintendent of DHQ/THQ) District Population Welfare Officer, District Manager PPHI, IHS, Representatives of Bar Associations, XEN Buildings and Municipal Commissioner.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the DSC include to check District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ)/RHCs/BHUs with comprehensive details of SNE approved/working strength, bed capacity, machinery, equipment and other facilities etc. available or shortfall. To check female/pediatric wards are properly working and gynecologist/pediatricians are posted or otherwise. To check availability of doctors/paramedical staff with special mention or absentees.
To check medicines are available and properly utilized/provided to patients or otherwise. To check whether medicines are outdated or expired. To check doctors/surgeons/physicians/paramedical staff posted are serving properly.. To check availability of investigations and other equipment whether these are in proper working order or not. To check other facilities available for patients and general public. The current position of infrastructure of the hospital and cleanliness etc. and any suggestion by the committee for requirements/updating/facilitating the institution in public interest.
Since then DHC is constantly visiting all Blocks of the Chandka Medical College Hospital and holding open kutchehries to know the issues faced by the poverty-stricken patients. The DHCs formed does not include any retired professor of highest integrity to pinpoint the shortfalls, check the availability of proper instruments and equipment in laboratories, operation theaters, diagnostic machines and check the proper utilization of released funds. The DHC must also be authorized to recommend allocation of more budget in those heads where allocation has been made meagerly. CMCH faces acute shortage of staff but the issue of ghost employees, which are said to be over 200, has also complicated its working.
The people of Larkana, patients and their attendants have urged the government to take stern action against those who are absconding from their duties but drawing monthly salaries while sitting at home and their facilitators. They have also demanded replacement of all outdated machinery, equipment and instruments as one X-Ray machine installed in Teaching Block was purchased in 1985. It must be mentioned here that CMCH is catering to the needs of more than 12 districts of rural Sindh, parts of Balochistan and lower part of Punjab.