Poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities such as sanitation and water at the government hospital housing quarters is making life miserable for staff living there, claim the hospital staff.
“The hospital has about 100 beds, houses 91 posts including medical and other paramedical courses. But only 32 staff are presently working, while the other 59 posts are lying vacant. Those employed are facing housing problems and are forced to leave the quarters and stay at rented houses, because of the poor facilities at the quarters,” the employees said.
Many say that the quarters is around four to five decades old. Cracks have formed on the walls and the condition of the roof is pathetic. Houses are often filled with water during rains and the building lacks proper ventilation, doors, toilets or any other facilities necessary for human habitation, people complain.
‘Since the start’
According to locals and staff, there has been no repair or maintenance work carried out since the establishment of the quarters. Water problems persist and the staff have to spend from their own pockets to get water even for daily use.
Locals are using the backyard of the quarters for open defecation, turning it into a filthy ground. Garbage is also being dumped close to the compound wall of the quarters leading to another kind of menace, either by stray pigs or dogs. The staff are forced to live amidst such unhygienic conditions, which poses several health dangers.
“There was an instance where the authorities were taken to task by the district judge who had come to attend the Swacchata Abhiyan programme. But nothing has changed. The government orders us to stay on the premises to attend to emergency cases. But is least bothered to provide basic facilities, rued one of the members.
“Employees, however, with no other option left, get the minor damages repaired. But the condition of the building has gone beyond repair. The building has to be completely demolished and built from the scratch, demanded an employee Taluk Medical Officer Dr Chennakeshava told Deccan Herald that he has written many a time to the town municipality officials seeking action.
“The quarters, which is around 40 years old, is not fit for human habitation. Letters have been written for the past five years to the town municipality seeking water supply and to ensure cleanliness by increasing the height of the compound wall of the quarters. But authorities have not paid attention to our problems,” he said.