TB health centre utterly neglected by SCB, govt

Lal Bazaar: It is the only TB health centre here in Secunderabad that dates back to over six decades. There was a time when the centre was spic and span and patients from far and near visited it. However, today the centre is falling apart due to neglect.

The state government has been rendering medical services in the same building, which was built before independence. On the other hand, the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) is rendering management services. The hospital is not being renovated because of lack of coordination between the government and the board.

The centre comes under ward No 7 of the SCB. The staff and patients are worried over the roof falling down. Patients said that the hospital is not cleaned properly. About 20 patients visit the hospital daily to get diagnosed. Some patients come for medicines.

A total of five contractors have been employed. They receive salaries in time, but are rarely seen in the hospital rendering services. People living in the vicinity of the hospital say that it is foolish on the part of the board not to renovate the hospital, while it is spending crores of rupees on beatification of parks and on construction of boundary walls for the open plots and lands.

There are no permanent doctors in the hospital. The doctor working in the tuberculosis department at Gandhi Hospital visits this hospital. But, what time he will be visiting the hospital is a big question for the poor patients. Locals say they have to keep guessing when the doctor comes to the hospital. There are instances where the doctor isn't seen for days.

The patients have no other option but to opt for medical services at some other hospitals. There are only two supervisors, but only one is available at any given time. The patients urge officials concerned to come to their aid and ensure that the hospital is renovated and has a full-fledged staff.

By Gangadhar Badrinath