Ayurveda services collapse in Tarn Taran

The Ayurveda system of government health services in Tarn Taran district has completely collapsed in every aspect. The shortage of staff is evident, from the Class IV post of sweeper to the position of District Ayurveda Unani Officer. Additionally, the buildings of all the dispensaries are in a dilapidated condition.

It was during the tenure of former Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon that the Health Department opened a ‘Swasth Kendra’ in Bhail Dhai Wala village of the Mand area. This facility had posts for more than two Ayurveda Medical Officers, seven pharmacists and trained midwives, offering round-the-clock medical services with residential accommodations for all staff. The building is spread over five acres of land, which still exists. Another similar ‘Swasth Kendra’ was established in Hoshiarpur district, making it one of the two such centres in the state at the time. However, the situation today is grim.

According to official sources, there are only five Ayurveda Medical Officers (AMOs), five pharmacists (Up Vaids) and three trained midwives in service remaining to serve 23 government Ayurveda dispensaries in the district. One of the trained midwives is set to retire on April 30.

Sources in the department also revealed that since 2000, no new midwives have been recruited for these dispensaries, and while a few AMOs were recruited in 2017, the department’s indifference has led to a severe shortage.

As a result, the Ayurveda and Unani services are being provided by just five AMOs across 23 dispensaries, each being assigned to serve nearby dispensaries one a day in a week.

Moreover, the position of District Ayurveda Unani Officer (DAUO) has been vacant for the past six years. The DAUO of Amritsar has been given the additional charge of Tarn Taran district. The office of the DAUO in Tarn Taran lacks any ministerial staff, including the superintendent and the clerk. The situation has negatively impacted the maintenance of service records of the working AMOs and other staff, as well as the management of grants provided by the state and Union governments.

Given the deteriorating situation, several dispensaries, including those in Soorwing, Nagoke, Sidhwan and Bhail Dhai Wala village, have been closed by the department. Employee leaders Gurpreet Singh Gandiwind, Karam Singh Lalpura, Baldev Singh Kallha and others said that they have been approaching the district administration and state government representatives, demanding the revival of Ayurveda and Unani medical services in the district.

Punjab