In a shocking display of negligence at a government health facility, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak expressed severe displeasure during a surprise inspection at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in the Gursarai area of Jhansi district on Thursday. The minister discovered multiple serious lapses in hygiene and maintenance, leading to immediate punitive action against the responsible medical officer.
Major Shortcomings Uncovered During Inspection
During his visit, Deputy CM Pathak was appalled by the conditions he witnessed. His inspection revealed several critical failures in basic healthcare protocols. The most glaring issue was found at the dental care centre, where instruments used for oral examinations were found submerged in a tray of water, covered in rust. This gross violation of medical sanitation standards posed a direct risk to patient safety.
Further compounding the negligence, Pathak discovered empty injection vials carelessly stored in a cupboard. The condition of the washroom facilities was also reported to be highly unsatisfactory, indicating a broader pattern of poor upkeep at the centre. Perhaps most alarmingly, the sterilising box, a crucial device for ensuring medical instruments are germ-free, had been non-functional for over a month. This raised grave concerns about the quality of instrument sterilisation and the potential for infections.
Immediate Action Ordered Against Dental Surgeon
Confronted with these unacceptable conditions, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak did not mince words. He issued on-the-spot instructions to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Jhansi, Dr. Sudhakar Pandey. Pathak directed CMO Pandey to take strict disciplinary action against the dental surgeon posted at the Gursarai CHC.
The mandated action was twofold and severe. The minister explicitly ordered the immediate transfer of the erring doctor to a remote posting. Additionally, he instructed that a financial penalty be imposed on the surgeon for the damages and negligence uncovered. This swift response underscores the government's stated low tolerance for lapses in public health service delivery.
Inquiry Initiated, Accountability Sought
Following the deputy CM's directives, Chief Medical Officer Sudhakar Pandey confirmed that an official inquiry into the entire matter has been ordered. The inquiry will delve into the systemic failures that allowed such conditions to persist at the Community Health Centre. CMO Pandey stated that further action would be taken based on the findings of this investigation, suggesting that accountability may extend beyond the individual dental surgeon.
The incident in Jhansi has cast a spotlight on the operational challenges and maintenance issues plaguing some peripheral healthcare institutions in the state. It highlights the critical need for rigorous internal monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that basic standards of hygiene and equipment functionality are maintained for the safety of the public.
