In a shocking instance, a peon had to give stitches to a critically-injured patient in Nabarangpur district, prompting an inquiry by the authorities.
The incidence took place at the Chandahandi Community Health Centre (CHC) on Thursday evening.
According to reports, while a girl was returning from a picnic along with her friends by an auto-rickshaw, the vehicle overturned near Chandahandi causing multiple injuries to her. She was brought to the CHC by a 108 Ambulance and shifted to the causality ward, where a peon carried out the stitching operation despite the presence of the doctors in duty.
The CHC in-charge said too many emergencies at the hospital resulted in attendants doing the job of doctors. For now, an inquiry has been ordered into this particular incidence.
A peon giving stitches is clearly not an uncommon occurrence at the CHC. Even, a ward boy and a sweeper meant to perform largely janitorial functions are often seen giving patients tetanus shots, said a denizen of the locality.