SHILLONG, Feb 4: Amid the danger of OPD service suspension, the Health department has taken swift measures to ensure that outpatient department (OPD) services at Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong, remain unaffected despite recent staff shortages.
This comes after the hospital’s Superintendent sent an urgent letter to the Director of Health Services (Medical Institutions) on Monday, stating that OPD services would be suspended from February 4 due to a shortage of medical officers. However, on Tuesday, Health department Secretary Ramkumar S clarified that the issue was temporary and lasted only a single day. He explained that the shortage occurred because several medical officers had secured postgraduate (PG) seats — an immediate staffing challenge but ultimately beneficial for the state’s medical sector.
“A medical officer from Sohiong has been deployed to address the gap, ensuring that OPD services continue without further disruption,” he stated.
Sources revealed that one of the hospital’s medical officers is currently on maternity leave, while two others have secured PG placements. Additionally, two more officers posted at the hospital have also obtained PG seats, further contributing to the temporary shortage.
Despite these challenges, the Health department acted promptly to prevent service disruptions, reaffirming its commitment to uninterrupted healthcare delivery at RP Chest Hospital.
