Staff crunch cripples century-old hospital

Shahalibanda: The century-old hospital, Suraj Bhan Bhagvathi Bai Government Maternity Hospital, located in Shahalibanda, has been craving for more doctors and nursing staff to run the hospital, as the number of patients has increased almost three times.

The hospital is famous for maternity and pediatric services. Each day, around 200 patients visit the hospital for consultation, but now owing to the seasonal ailments and viral fevers, the turnout has reach to 500 patients per day. Moreover, the hospital also caters in-patients and around 150 were admitted, but the existing beds are not enough for all the patients.

K Venkatesh, a senior congress leader, said that he visited the government hospitals in the surrounding of Shahalibanda. He said he found that every government hospital in the area is flooded with patients.

The oldest of all in old city, which has more than 100-year-old history, Suraj Bhan Bhagvathi Bai Government Maternity Hospital cries for attention. The hospital now has only 9 doctors and 8 nurses, he said. "Given the number of patients visiting the hospital, it needs more doctors, nurses and attendees," he added.

Speaking to The Hans India, Venkatesh said that many locals from Qazipura, Aliabad, Shahalibanda, Haribowli, Lal Darwaza, Gowlipura and Shamheerjung visit the well-known hospital for consultation.

According to the Superintendent of Hospital, Dr WV Ramana Murthy, the number of patients increased drastically in the recent days from 200 to 500 per day due to spread of diseases and that the hospital is being run 24-hours for out-patients.

"Even though we have less staff, we are trying our best to attend the out and in patients. The hospital requires 6 to 7 more doctors, duty doctors, more nurses and attendees", he added.

Ramana Murthy also said that many representations were given to the higher authorities to appoint more doctors and nurses, but all those have been neglected. The patients visit here because it is one of the oldest and the best maternity and children hospital. More than 15 deliveries take place here every day. But, the hospital is being neglected.

Speaking on the issue, Venkatesh said that many deaths have been reported in recent days, but the government is still not responding. This shows that the government's failure in healthcare. Many other issues have also been raised in recent days like polluted drinking water, no fogging in areas and poor sanitation. These are the main reasons why the viral fever has been spreading in the city, he noted.

Venkatesh also said that Health Minister and other authorities concerned have been visiting Fever Hospital and Gandhi Hospital, but no one visited the Old City. They must visit the Old city area hospitals to take stock of the situation. The government must respond now and appoint more doctors and nurses in the hospital, he demanded.