Complaints against dist hospital abound

Grievances of citizens highlight poor condition of government facilities

When Deputy Commissioner D S Vishwanath visited the Sri Narasimharaja District Hospital for a greviance meet here on Friday, he had hardly anticipated the barrage of complaints hurled his way.

Citizens complained that doctors and nurses often spent more time in private nursing homes during working hours than at the hospital.

Other complaints pointed out that the hospital lacks an emergency unit and an MRI scanner; that it lacks proper drinking water and certainly no hot water. People also complained that the hospital suffered from a lack of basic hygiene. “In-patients have to deal with a horde of mosquitoes. The meals provided to them are poor in quality. D-Group employees of the hospital are deprived of many benefits,” citizens added.

They added that the only other option for medical treatment in the area is Jalappa Hospital, on the outskirts of the City. “But in case of serious injuries, lives can be saved if the district hospital had proper facilities,” said Ravi Kumar, a citizen attending the meeting.

Comparisons

Girish, another private citizen who attended the meeting, pointed out the many differences between Jalappa hospital and the government care centre. “Jalappa Hospital has facilities for a dialysis, but the government hospital does not. Also, Jalappa Hospital provides excellent transport facilities to reach out to people all over the City. The district hospital too should provide vehicles in a similar manner,” he said.

Citizens also demanded that the number of D-Group employees be increased and asked that medicine be provided at subsidised rates at the Janata Bazaar, on the hospital grounds. The treatment of patients by the doctors and medical staff was also criticised by citizens who attended the meeting.

“The district hospital has qualified doctors but the patients are denied proper and timely treatment. Some doctors even pressure patients to purchase medicine from specific medical stores,” said Marjenahalli Babu.

Another person, Chalapathi, said that people who need medical treatment should come to the hospital regardless of their financial standing. “Only then will the sense of responsibility improve among the doctors and medical staff,” she said.
Proposal to govt

Hearing the long list of complaints, the Deputy Commissioner explained that all the problems cannot be solved overnight. “But the matter can be brought to the notice of the government with a proposal on the requirements of the hospital. A list of the lack of facilities and staff at the hospital should be prepared. The district surgeon should take action against the shortage of staff at the blood bank,” he added.

He instructed all doctors to remain in the hospital from 9 am to 4 pm. “The drinking water shortage can be solved by implementing rainwater harvesting,” he suggested. “The Janata Bazaar has been opened to ensure there is no shortage of medicines at the hospital and will not be closed down.”

District surgeon Dr Shashidhar, medical officer Narayanaswamy, R L Jalappa Hospital medical inspector Dr V Lakshmaiah and Dr Lakshmamma were present at the meeting.