Muhamma: The Muhamma Community Health Centre, the main government hospital at Karappuram, has long been in a state of neglect, with its operations in complete disarray. Although it was upgraded from a Primary Health Centre to a Community Health Centre (CHC) decades ago, its functioning remains far from efficient due to a shortage of doctors and essential staff.

The OP wing, which caters to around 500 patients daily, is without a doctor between 8 am and 9 am. The hospital, which has in-patient facilities, currently operates with only one medical officer, five permanent doctors and five staff nurses. For night duty, only two temporary doctors are available, leaving patients to fend for themselves in their absence. Experts say the smooth functioning of the hospital requires at least eight permanent doctors.

The State Government has not yet expanded the staffing pattern despite upgrading the hospital. The absence of doctors in gynaecology, paediatrics and orthopaedics has caused significant hardships for patients.

The Aryad Block Panchayat currently governs the hospital. The lift to the first floor also remains unfinished. Though the hospital has a modern lab, it stops functioning after 4 pm, and the ECG facility faces the same limitation. Patients often have to seek services elsewhere. Bystanders complain of delays in medicine distribution, as the hospital has only one permanent pharmacist and a temporary staff member. The digital X-ray facility is also unreliable. Casualty services remain limited.

“Health Department and people’s representatives should take action to improve services and ensure the development of the Muhamma CHC, which is relied upon by residents of Muhamma and nearby areas,” said Sabu, a local resident.

The Muhamma CHC office, which oversees five Primary Health Centres, also does not have its own vehicle. Staff members have been covering field visits out of their own pockets for the past year.

“Efforts will be made to ensure maximum treatment facilities at the Community Health Centre,” assured K D Maheedharan, President of Aryad Block Panchayat.