Walled city needs more govt-run health facilities

The historic walled city, believed to be the most densely populated area in the entire district, does not have adequate government-run health facilities. Most residents rely on private clinics and hospitals that have mushroomed in the area during the last two decades.

In the name of government health facilities, the walled city has only two Aam Aadmi clinics at Chowk Phawara, on the heritage street, which leads to the Jallianwala Bagh, and inside Gate Hakima. There is an Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC) at Dhab Khatikan. The Princess of Wales Zenana Hospital, which was built during the British rule in 1917, was converted into the UCHC under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). The UCHC has a labour room, operation theatres and outpatient departments.

Harish Seth, a resident, said it was rarely that patients other than expectant mothers and infants availed of the services of the UCHC. The building is big enough and has spacious parking space, yet majority people think it a health centre solely for expectant mothers. So, they do not consider approaching the UCHC in case of a medical emergency.

Satnam Singh, a resident of the walled city, said over two lakh people were residing within 12 gates — Lahori Darwaza, Khazana, Hakeema, Gilwali, Ramgarhia, Doburji, Ahluwalia, Deori Kalan, Rambagh and Lohgarh — of the walled city. The Hall Gate was added by the British. The residents are forced to shell out their hard earned money in case of a medical emergency, he added. The Civil Hospital and Guru Nanak Dev Hospital-cum-Medical College are outside the walled city. In case of emergency, it is difficult to cover the distance to the government health facilities due to maddening traffic rush.

When contacted, Civil Surgeon Dr Kirandeep Kaur said general patients, too, can come to the UCHC for treatment. It is equipped with one gynaecologist, one paediatrician, one telemedicine expert and one microbiologist. In addition, two Aam Adami Clinics are being looked after by one MBBS doctor each. She added that there may be only two clinics in the walled city, but more government-run health facilities are available outside it.

Punjab