45 Himachal Panchayats Lack Ultrasound Services as Radiologist Post Remains Vacant

People in around 45 panchayats of the Jhanduta Assembly constituency in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district have been deprived of ultrasound services for the past several years. Although an ultrasound machine is available at Jhanduta Hospital, the facility has not been started because the post of radiologist is vacant.

The issue has affected patients who depend on government health institutions in the area. Despite the state government’s claims of providing better healthcare facilities, regular ultrasound services are still not available at the major hospitals serving the Jhanduta region.

The Jhanduta Assembly constituency has four major health institutions: Community Health Centre Jhanduta, Civil Hospital Barthin, Hospital Shah Talai and Kalol. However, patients are not getting regular ultrasound facilities at these institutions.

Because of this, patients have to turn to private laboratories for ultrasound examinations. They also have to travel to Civil Hospital Ghumarwin or District Hospital Bilaspur to access the facility.

The lack of ultrasound services has created particular difficulties for pregnant women, who need such examinations as part of their medical care. Patients and their families have to travel outside the area, while those choosing private laboratories also face additional expenses.

Local people have said that starting ultrasound services at hospitals in the area would provide relief to patients. It would save them from travelling to distant hospitals and from spending extra money at private laboratories.

They have demanded that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the Health Minister take steps to start ultrasound services soon at hospitals in the Jhanduta area. They have also sought the filling of vacant radiologist posts so that the available equipment can be put to use.

Chief Medical Officer Bilaspur Dr Shashidatt Sharma said that an ultrasound machine has been made available to Community Health Centre Jhanduta. However, he said the service could not be started because the post of radiologist is vacant.

He said the government and senior officials have been informed in writing about the need to fill the radiologist post. According to him, the matter has been communicated so that the appointment process can be taken forward.

Dr Shashi Dutt Sharma said that ultrasound services will begin for patients in Jhanduta as soon as a radiologist is appointed. Until then, people from the 45 panchayats will continue to depend on private laboratories, Civil Hospital Ghumarwin or District Hospital Bilaspur for the facility.