LUCKNOW, March 3 -- Senior doctors will not be allowed to leave the districts where they are posted during the Holi festival, director general Medical Health (DGMH) Dr Pawan Kumar Arun has directed. In a circular issued to all chief medical officers (CMOs) across the state, the DGMH instructed that in-charges of community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) must remain stationed at district headquarters and may leave only with prior permission from senior officials if required. The order noted that cases of injuries and illnesses linked to festival celebrations, including consumption of toxic substances, tend to rise during Holi. All health centres have therefore been directed to prepare duty rosters to ensure round-the-clock medical services. CMOs have also been asked to ensure availability of medico-legal facilities along with X-ray and pathology services at CHCs. Patients should not be referred to higher centres unless necessary; if referral is required, they must first be stabilised and transported through the 108 ambulance service. Leave has been restricted except in unavoidable circumstances. Dr Arun also directed officials to prepare a micro-plan to handle the expected post-festival rush in OPDs. "All ambulances have been put on alert and 24x7 services will remain available," said TVSK Reddy, president, EMRI Green Health Services, which operates the 108 ambulance network. htc...