Most of Indore's 84 Sanjeevani clinics lack doctors, patients turned away

Most of the 84 Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani Clinics running in Indore city have yet to get doctors. Some centres have doctors but lack pharmacists, nursing officers or other staff. The aim of giving people easy treatment close to home has not been met even seven years after the clinics began.

The first Sanjeevani Clinic in the city opened seven years ago. Since then 84 centres have been opened, but many have no doctor posted. Under the rules, each clinic must have a doctor, a pharmacist, a nursing officer and other staff. When a team visited several centres, it found patients at some returning without treatment, while others were being sent to another centre.

At the Harsiddhi clinic, nursing staff were present but there was no doctor. Patients were being asked to go to the Kadavghat clinic. Raju Suryavanshi, troubled by back pain, came for treatment and was told no doctor was available and that he should go to another centre. Rukhsana Bi had brought her child to be examined, but she too had to return without treatment because there was no doctor.

The Juni Indore clinic also has no doctor. MBBS doctor Dr Madhu Margate was earlier posted here. Some time ago she was made in-charge of Hukumchand Hospital, which comes under the Sanjeevani Clinic scheme. No doctor has been posted here since. Here the pharmacist was seen giving medicines to patients after judging their symptoms.

On October 16, National Health Mission director Saloni Sidana inspected the Sanjeevani clinics. She expressed displeasure over the shortage of doctors and asked for appointments to be made soon. An attempt was made to contact Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Hasani, but there was no response. Assistant Programme Manager Vinay Pandey said the recruitment process for 45 doctors to fill the posts has been completed. He expressed hope that all centres would soon get postings.

Staffing at the centres visited was as follows. Harsiddhi has no doctor, while a pharmacist, nursing officer, MPW and support staff are present. Juni Indore has no doctor or nursing staff, but has a pharmacist and support staff.

Palasikar has a doctor, operator and support staff, but no nursing officer. Kadavghat has a doctor but a shortage of support staff. Dussehra Maidan has no doctor or nursing officer, while a pharmacist, operator and support staff are present. Narthoda has no doctor, a nursing staffer was recently appointed, and support staff are present.