PNS | DEHRADUN
The administration of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya District Hospital is compelled to refer serious burn cases to the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) due to the absence of a plastic surgeon at the hospital. A burn unit has been established at the district hospital but since its inception, there has been no specialist available to fulfill the role there. The hospital’s medical superintendent Dr VS Chauhan said that the district hospital is currently operating a 10-bed burn unit, yet it lacks a plastic surgeon or any specialist in burn treatment. Further, the authorities have not created any posts for such surgeons at the district hospital throughout the state. The challenge in securing plastic surgeons at the district hospital arises from their reluctance to provide services in government facilities.
He stated that plastic surgeons believed that private hospitals offer significantly higher compensation for their services compared to government hospitals. In light of this, the government has not established any positions for plastic surgeons at district hospitals. However, there is a position available for plastic surgeons at medical colleges. Consequently, there is currently one plastic surgeon providing services to patients at the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC), he said.
He further informed that the district hospital encounters approximately eight to 10 burn cases each month. However, for serious cases requiring plastic surgery, the hospital administration refers such cases to GDMC.
He further said that currently, three general surgeons are providing additional services to the burn unit and are performing general surgeries, excluding plastic surgery. He expressed his concern regarding the transfer of serious cases to GDMC and emphasised that the position of plastic surgeons should be considered at district hospitals, not only in this location but across the state.
