Dr Pramod Kumar Rout being transferred from the Ghatgaon CHC, has joined on September 1 as the new paediatric specialist of Kumarjoda CHC under Joda block. After the controversial absence of Dr Monalisa Partra from duty since August 9, the poor people depending on the CHC were facing a lot of difficulties. The Kumarjoda CHC situated on the outskirts of the Joda town caters mainly to the need of the poor adivasi people those who cannot afford to go to private hospital for treatment.
Some months back when there was shortage of doctors in the CHC, Dr Patra, herself a pediatric specialist, had been appointed by the district administration to be paid from the district mineral fund, but it was alleged against her that she was not coming to the CHC in the afternoon on the pretext that required number of patients was not coming during that time.
However, one day the situation went out of control when a patient was reported to have died due to non-availability of the doctor in the CHC.
When the matter was published in The Pioneer on July 28, there was much hue and cry in the locality but the irony is that instead of taking the corrective measures ,the alleged doctor joined hands with some people having vested interest who came forward to give undue support to her on the ground that she was a woman and it was wrong to malign her. Even, they went on threatening that if Dr Monalisa resigns, they will go for “Joda bandh” and also tried to create a panic among local people saying that there will be no doctor if she quits. However, thanks to district Collector Ashish Thakre, a new doctor in the Kumarjoda CHC was posted which has been very much appreciated by the locals.