Tirupati: Lab services hit in Ruia Hospital

Tirupati: In a significant move, Tirupati MLA Bhumana Karunakar Reddy has instructed Ruia Hospital administration to close the private central lab immediately. He made a visit to the hospital to address this issue on Monday as it was pending for the last 20 days even after Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta took the decision for its closure.

The private lab was creating several controversies for a long time. Though the decision to close the private lab to save the money on the exchequer was appreciated, taking such a decision without any alternative may create severe hardship to patients to get their blood samples tested.

On an average, 1,500-2,000 outpatients per day are visiting the hospital and inpatients of more than 1,000 did not have a 24-hour central lab. The authorities never cared of establishing such a lab though several demands have been coming from doctors and patients. Instead, a contract was given to a private laboratory by paying about Rs 30 to 40 lakhs to it per month.

There was widespread criticism that several irregularities were taking place in the payment of the amount. After the new government took over in the State, Collector Dr N Bharat Gupta has focussed on this lab issue and warned the hospital administration several times.

On August 29 also, he categorically made it clear that is should be closed. The SV Medical College and Maternity Hospital were having trained technicians whose services can be utilised by setting up a laboratory at an emergency wing which can save lakhs of rupees to the government. Collector made it clear that within a week, government lab should come into use for the patients.

Later, the hospital superintendent changed, and new incumbent assumed charge on September 5 only. The MLA after knowing that the lab was still operating there, expressed his anger on the authorities. While the Superintendent was on leave, in-charge Superintendent Dr Aruna and former Superintendent Dr BS Naik were present. MLA has told them seriously that the lab and the pharmacy being run by the same management should be closed before afternoon and a compliance certificate be sent to him before evening.

This has created some confusion among hospital administration as they could not take a decision in the absence of regular Superintendent. However, they instructed the lab staff not to open it. This has raised a big question on how to get alternate services. About 1,000 blood tests of various types are to be performed daily in the laboratory.

As the hospital was not equipped with any of the reagents and other instruments to perform all types of tests patients will have to be pushed to a tight corner. Without test reports, doctors cannot prescribe proper treatment. The doctors were of the view that the private lab should have been allowed for at least a couple of days till the alternative comes into replace it.