SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 10: Dr. Alok Vishwakarma, the newly appointed Civil Surgeon (CS) of Dhanbad, has identified the enhancement of night health services as his top priority—particularly at hospitals located along National Highway-2 and in remote rural areas of the district.
After taking charge from outgoing CS Dr. C.B. Pratapan, Dr. Vishwakarma emphasized the need for accessible and timely medical care during emergencies for villagers who often lack proper facilities after dark.
“While people living in township areas have access to multiple treatment options even at night, residents of rural regions struggle to receive immediate care. My focus is to upgrade night services at highway-side hospitals and remote health centres so that no patient is left unattended in emergencies,” said Dr. Vishwakarma.
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Focus on CHCs Along NH-2 and Remote Villages
In Dhanbad, three key Community Health Centres (CHCs) located along NH-2—Topchachi (30 km), Govindpur (12 km), and Nirsa (35 km)—often serve as the first point of care in emergencies. However, patients from these centres are frequently referred to the Dhanbad Medical College Hospital due to inadequate nighttime services.
Dr. Vishwakarma revealed that his plan includes significant upgrades to infrastructure, medical staff, and essential services at these CHCs and rural health centres. “We are aiming to ensure that patients can receive necessary treatment on-site at night, reducing the need for referrals,” he said.
Experience with Rural Challenges and Naxal-Affected Areas
This is Dr. Vishwakarma’s second term as Dhanbad’s Civil Surgeon. During his earlier stint in 2022–23, he became the first civil surgeon to conduct regular night inspections at the Tundi CHC, located in a Naxal-affected area.
At the time, medical officers were hesitant to perform night duties due to safety concerns, but his consistent monitoring boosted their confidence and encouraged them to stay overnight.
“I strongly believe that if we streamline night services in remote areas, the overall healthcare system in the district will improve organically,” he added.
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Vision for Strengthening Peripheral Health Centres
Dr. Vishwakarma underscored that his ultimate goal is to make peripheral health centres and the Sadar Hospital so efficient that patients prefer them over the overcrowded medical college hospital. “I will consider my efforts successful only when patients begin choosing local health facilities over tertiary ones for their basic and emergency care needs,” he concluded.
