Mohali: In a surprise visit to Kharar Civil Hospital, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Gurmandar Singh discovered the absence of doctors in the mother-child care unit, with nurses reportedly conducting deliveries independently at night.

During the inspection, it was found that only two doctors worked at the hospital and were only called by the nurses if required at night. The nurses are reported to have handled normal delivery cases in the absence of the doctors.

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Observing the situation at the hospital, Singh alleged that a probe would be conducted following which appropriate action would be taken against the doctors on Wednesday if found guilty of letting the nurses do the delivery in their absence.

The inspection was conducted after Singh received multiple complaints from the hospital and also a high rate of referrals to Phase-6 civil hospital or to Chandigarh government hospitals from Kharar Civil Hospital.

Talking about this matter, a contractual nurse informed Singh as reported by the HT, "Two doctors available for this unit work in the morning shift from 8 am till 2 am. We handle normal delivery cases and only call doctors if required at night. They come on call."

“It was a general checking but we also received a few complaints and rather we wanted to know the reason of high number of cases referred to the other hospitals. The staff was found to be attentive and all the facilities were found to be in place except non-availability of any doctor in mother-child care section. They can’t allow any deliveries in their absence. We will take up the issue with the doctors in the morning”, Singh said.

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