Chandigarh Moves to Launch Evening OPDs at Health Centres for Workers
In a significant step toward making healthcare more inclusive, the Union Territory health committee in Chandigarh, led by chairman Dr Raj Bahadur, has advocated for the introduction of evening outpatient departments (OPDs) across the city's network of health and wellness centres (HWCs). This initiative aims to bridge the accessibility gap for the labour class and daily wage earners who struggle to visit hospitals during conventional morning hours.
Addressing the Needs of the Working Class
The proposal was deliberated during a high-level meeting of the administrator's advisory council, chaired by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. It specifically targets the challenges faced by thousands of workers in Chandigarh, for whom a hospital visit during standard morning OPD timings often results in the loss of a full day's income. The planned evening shift, scheduled from 4 PM to 7 PM, is designed to offer a practical solution, allowing these individuals to seek medical care after their work hours without financial hardship.
Currently, Chandigarh's 34 HWCs experience a substantial morning footfall, serving approximately 10,000 patients daily. The expansion into evening operations would provide a crucial alternative for those employed in non-office roles, such as construction workers, drivers, and domestic helpers, who typically cannot afford to take time off during the day.
Overcoming Historical Hurdles
Despite a previously allocated budget of Rs 6 crore for this double shift system, the initiative has encountered persistent obstacles. Dr Raj Bahadur highlighted the dual challenges of ensuring sustainable funding and securing a dedicated workforce. Past attempts in 2015 and 2019, which relied on hiring retired doctors on an hourly basis, proved insufficient due to issues with diagnostic accuracy and prescription authenticity.
Authorities are now shifting focus toward recruiting regular, qualified medical personnel to staff the evening shifts. Dr Suman Singh, Director of Health Services for the UT, emphasized that budget and manpower have been the constraints, underscoring the need for a more robust approach. While much of the necessary infrastructure is already in place at many centres, the current priority is to hire medical officers and pharmacists specifically for the late-day operations.
Decentralizing Healthcare Burden
This initiative also seeks to alleviate the pressure on tertiary care facilities like the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI). By offering primary healthcare services in the evenings at the sector level, the administration hopes to reduce overcrowding in major hospital emergencies. Often, patients resort to these emergency departments simply because local dispensaries are closed after regular working hours.
A faculty member noted that there were attempts to have evening OPDs in PGI as well, but that could not be implemented. However, some specialized OPDs, including endocrinology, at PGI already function until 6 PM, indicating a gradual shift toward extended hours in the healthcare system.
The push for evening OPDs in Chandigarh represents a proactive effort to make healthcare more equitable and responsive to the needs of all residents, particularly the working poor. By learning from past shortcomings and focusing on sustainable staffing solutions, the UT health committee aims to create a model that could inspire similar reforms in other regions, ensuring that no one has to choose between their health and their livelihood.
