Most of Indore's 84 Sanjeevani clinics have no doctor, patients sent back untreated

Most of the 84 Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani clinics operating in Indore city have so far not been given doctors. Where doctors are present, there is a shortage of pharmacists, nursing officers or other staff. The aim of providing treatment easily near people's homes has not been met even years later. The first Sanjeevani clinic in the city opened seven years ago.

Since then 84 clinics have been opened, but most have had no doctor posted. Under the rules, every clinic must have one doctor, one pharmacist, one nursing officer and other staff. A visit to the clinics found patients returning without treatment at most of them.

The Harsiddhi Sanjeevani clinic was found running without a doctor. Nursing staff were present, but because there was no doctor, patients were being sent to the Kadavghat clinic. Raju Suryavanshi, who was suffering from back pain, went for treatment and was told there was no doctor and asked to go elsewhere. Rukhsana Bi had brought her child and also had to return without treatment because there was no doctor.

The situation at the Juni Indore Sanjeevani clinic was similar. MBBS doctor Madhu Margate had earlier been posted there. Some time ago she was made in-charge of Hukumchand Hospital, which comes under the Sanjeevani clinic scheme. No other doctor has come to the Juni Indore clinic since. Pharmacists there were seen giving medicines to patients themselves after looking at their symptoms.

At some clinics the situation was found to be very poor. Harsiddhi has no doctor, though a pharmacist, nursing officer, MPW and supporting staff were present. Juni Indore has neither a doctor nor nursing staff; only a pharmacist and supporting staff were present.

The Palsikar clinic has a doctor, an operator and support staff, but the nursing officer's post is vacant. At Kadavghat a doctor was present, but there is a severe shortage of support staff. The Dussehra Maidan clinic has neither a doctor nor a nursing officer; only a pharmacist, an operator and support staff were found. North Toda has no doctor; only nursing staff have recently been appointed there, and support staff are present.

On October 16, National Health Mission director Saloni Sidana inspected the Sanjeevani clinics in Indore. She expressed displeasure over the shortage of doctors and said doctors should be appointed to all vacant posts soon.

An attempt was made to contact Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani about the shortage of doctors, but he did not answer the phone. Assistant Programme Manager Vinay Pandey said the recruitment process for 45 doctors to fill the vacant posts has been completed and doctors are expected to be posted at all the clinics soon.