Jhajjar Hospital Patients Face Delays as Lone Sonologist Goes on Leave

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Patients seeking crucial ultrasound examinations at the Civil Hospital in Jhajjar are facing significant hardship due to the absence of the hospital’s sole sonologist, who is currently on a 15-day leave. This predicament, highlighted by reports from Monday, July 21, 2025, leaves district health authorities without a backup specialist, forcing patients to either bear the cost of private diagnostic centers or travel to hospitals in neighboring districts.

The Civil Hospital in Jhajjar has long operated with just one sonologist, a situation that consistently creates a bottleneck when the specialist is unavailable. This lack of a substitute means that no ultrasound examinations can be conducted at the government facility during periods of leave, directly impacting patient care. A notice has reportedly been pasted at the hospital’s ultrasound room, informing patients that services will be unavailable until July 30.

The impact on patients is immediate and often financially burdensome. For individuals like Sawan, a resident of Dujana village who visited the hospital on Monday with pain from kidney stones, the absence of an ultrasound facility at the Civil Hospital meant he had to seek the test at a private facility. While the service is free at the government hospital, Sawan was forced to pay ₹700 out of his own pocket to receive the necessary diagnostic report.

Ultrasound, or sonography, is a vital diagnostic tool in modern medicine. It uses sound waves to create images of internal organs, tissues, and structures, playing a critical role in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, from abdominal pain and gallstones to monitoring pregnancies and guiding biopsies. Its non-invasive nature and lack of radiation exposure make it a preferred and safe option for many patients, including pregnant women. The inability to access this fundamental service at a public hospital can lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, potentially worsening patient outcomes.

While Dr. Jai Mala, Civil Surgeon, Jhajjar, acknowledged the difficulties faced by patients when the lone sonologist is on leave, she confirmed that a request for a second sonologist has been sent to higher authorities. She also assured that arrangements are in place to ensure pregnant women receive free ultrasound services at a private facility under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, providing some relief for a critical patient group.

However, for a broader spectrum of patients, the current situation underscores a persistent challenge in public healthcare: the shortage of specialized medical personnel and adequate backup. Until a second sonologist is appointed or a more robust contingency plan is implemented, patients at Jhajjar’s Civil Hospital will continue to face disruptions in essential diagnostic services, highlighting the pressing need for improved healthcare infrastructure and staffing in the region.