Four doctors give round-the-clock care at Jivati rural hospital

Jivati primary health centre was upgraded into a rural hospital about a year ago so that people in the rural parts of Jivati taluka could get prompt, good medical care close to home, saving them time and money on treatment. A month ago, the health department appointed three MBBS doctors here, and work at the hospital picked up sharply. Dr Pramey Bhagat, Dr Makarand Hazare and Dr David Deshpande, the three new doctors, along with Dr Suraj Madavi from the primary health centre, are the four medical officers now examining patients round the clock. Their effort has brought visible satisfaction among patients in the Jivati area.

Jivati taluka is a remote and entirely rural area that lacks many basic facilities, including in health care. Most people in the taluka depend on rain-fed farming for their livelihood, and their financial condition is modest. As a result, many families cannot afford to travel to a bigger city or elsewhere for treatment during illness.

Earlier, the primary health centre did not have an adequate stock of medicines or the necessary facilities, so many patients had to be referred elsewhere for treatment, causing patients and their relatives financial and mental strain. But the picture has been changing since the rural hospital began operating. The hospital now has an adequate stock of essential medicines, as well as anti-snake venom and anti-rabies vaccines. As a result, most patients can now be treated within Jivati itself. Only patients in serious condition are referred to specialists for further treatment, medical officers said.

Infectious diseases such as malaria and typhoid have currently increased in the area, and a large number of patients are coming to the hospital with fever, fatigue and other symptoms. Because of the rising number of patients, all four doctors are working round the clock to ensure patients get timely treatment. Their promptness appears to be helping many patients recover.

Dr Vishal Pawar had earlier also provided good service in Jivati. With three new MBBS doctors now working alongside him, the four medical officers have brought great relief to people in Jivati and the surrounding area. People are calling the hospital's service "navsanjivani".

Hundreds of patients from Jivati and nearby areas visit the hospital every day for treatment, and are given saline, injections or medicines as needed. Some rural patients ask for saline or injections on their own, but doctors are explaining to patients that not every illness requires saline or an injection, and are working to clear this misconception.

People are being urged to cooperate with these young doctors serving in a remote area. At the same time, if the health department pays special attention to Jivati rural hospital and provides the medical equipment, medicines, diagnostic facilities and other basic requirements it needs, these doctors will be able to work even more effectively. This would help ensure more effective, timely and reliable health care for the rural people of Jivati and the surrounding area, within the village itself.