A zila parishad councillor has complained to health authorities about a village public health centre remaining locked and not attending to patients.
When the councillor, Sunanda Atla, visited Botekasa village in the district's Korchi taluka on September 2, she found the PHC locked and there was no doctor or nurse around, Atla told PTI.
She also saw that some patients from nearby villages who had gone to the PHC had to return without any treatment as the health centre was closed.
While trying to enquire the reasons for the PHC's closure, she found an ANM (auxiliary midwife nurse) at her home near the health centre.
The ANM later opened the PHC in the evening, but by that time all patients had left disappointed, Atla said.
"This is a very serious matter. The PHC, which is an essential service centre, should be kept open throughout the day and the patients be attended," she said.
She also said that the villagers told her that the PHC remained closed for most of the days.
As many as three doctors, two ANMs and an MPW (Multipurpose Health Worker) have been appointed in the PHC but none of them were present there, she said.
Atla yesterday wrote to the district health officer (DHO) demanding strict action against the doctors and staff for negligence.
When contacted, DHO Dr Kamlesh Bhandari today said he has sought a report on the matter from the taluka medical officer and action would be taken accordingly.
An officer from the district health office will also be sent to inquire into the matter, he assured.
