Balurghat, Nov. 3: There is not a single sonologist in the South Dinajpur district and so no ultra-sonography (USG) equipment here is put to use for diagnostic purposes.

The sonologist attached to the district hospital, Ashok Moulik, first went on an extended leave in May and later resigned from government service. He was the only person who operated the USG machine at the district hospital, municipality hospital and private clinics, a source said.

The situation is causing immense hardship for patients here, who have to go all the way to either Malda or Raiganj for the test. With no sonologist in town, private clinics here, which have the machine, are losing out on business.

According to Ashok Biswas, the superintendent of the district hospital, Moulik had resigned on May 25. “We have already informed the state health department and Sasthya Bhavan has even appointed a sonologist, Pralay Kumar Bhattacharya, for our hospital. But he is yet to take up the post,” Biswas said.

Moulik’s absence has become a financial burden for residents. Local singer, Arup Khan, had to hire a car to Malda to get a USG done on his wife yesterday. The car charged over Rs 1,500 for a round trip. Poor residents here can hardly afford such a cost.