Evening OPDs at dispensaries on hold amid UT's silence on budget

The extended hours aim to provide relief to patients who find it difficult to visit doctors during their daytime working hours

- Priyanka Thakur

CHANDIGARH: The UT health department's plan to start evening outpatient departments (OPDs) at all its civil dispensaries and health and wellness centres across the city remains in limbo in the absence of budget approval by the UT administration.

In February, director of health services Dr Suman Singh had confirmed that a ₹13-crore proposal to run the evening OPDs had been sent to the UT administration for budget sanction. However, more than three months have passed, but the administration is yet to take a call on the matter.

Health secretary Ajay Chagti said, "The proposal has been submitted to the finance department. We will start the OPDs when it is approved."