Tandur hospital groans under problems

Tandur: Functioning of the district hospital here which caters to the needs of 800 out-patients and 200 in-patients is being hampered by shortage of doctors, medicines and even drinking water placing the inmates at a grave risk. Officials are blaming lack of staff for the ills.

The gravity of problems facing the patients can be gauged from a recent example of a pregnant woman who came to the hospital at midnight being told to approach a private hospital in Hyderabad as there was no doctor or nurse on duty. Realising the risk involved, she was taken to nearby private hospital where the delivery took place. Both the mother and infant are safe.

There are allegations that the hospital staff was collecting extra amounts performing Caesarean deliveries. Due to shortage of medicines, doctors are said to be asking patients to make purchases from medical shops. The patients’ water woes have only become worse. Relatives of the patients are ending up filling up water in bottles from nearby hotels.

Owners of the hotels are abusing them for visiting the hotel too frequently with innumerable requests for water. Even the food being served in the hospital to patients is of inferior quality. It is also not found to be sufficient. When contacted, Superintendent Dr Bhagya Sekhar claimed that the staff was taking Rs 50 to Rs 100 from women who come for delivery only if offered. He denied any forceful collection.

He admitted that there is a severe shortage of staff. Treatment was being provided with the available personnel. The Superintendent stated that water was being supplied to patients under the Jaladhara Scheme. He said starting of a blood bank in the hospital was under consideration. Dr Sekhar promised action against the staff if complaints of performing Caesarean deliveries were found to be true.