Tahir Mushtaq
JAMMU, July 16: Could you believe it, for the population of 50 lakh who inhabit the region, there are only six dermatologists.
According to the official sources these five skin specialists are posted at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, which include Head of Department, whereas in Government Gandhi Nagar Hospital, there is one sanctioned post of B-Grade Dermatology but the post is vacant and a assistant surgeon with MD in Dermatology is treating the patients of skin diseases.
“These specialist not only have to cater to the city patients but from hundreds of people who visit the hospital from different parts of the region particularly from rural areas”, said a source.
Sources said that beside this the government has also sanctioned a post in 2004 for Government Hospital Sarwal, but this post was never filled.
“All other hospitals including prestigious Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu and other associated hospitals don’t have a single Skin Specialist for patients suffering skin diseases” they added.
It is pertinent to mention here that some of the district hospitals across the region have post for skin specialist but don’t have the any doctor due to which the patients from far-off places are also dependent on SMGS Hospital for minor treatment related to skin.
Sources maintained that earlier, the MBBS practitioners had to take admissions in the medical colleges outside the state for pursing MD in Dermatology due to which very few had specialization in the field. Even as number of doctors have pursuing the MD in Dermatology from GMC Jammu, but most of them are awaiting permanent job in the hospitals.
However, when contacted Director Health Services, Dr Ashok Gupta said that recently the department has appointed two doctors who completed Masters in Dermatology in Udhampur and Poonch district hospital.
“We are facing problem of these specialists as we don’t have qualified doctors of this stream”, he said.
Whereas, Minister for Medical Education, R S Chib could not be contacted even after repeating attempts.
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