Illegal entry points at ESI hospital

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 21

The peripheral wall of the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Hospital, Majitha Road, is broken at at least five different points to make illegal entrances.

Though the hospital authorities claim that nearby residents have broken the wall, so as to gain illegal entry to the hospital premises, it has not filed a formal complaint with the local police.

The absence of a peripheral wall and the presence of unauthorised entry points makes the hospital a vulnerable point for thefts. In the past, the hospital has reported many instances of theft. The most noteworthy include theft of computer panels from the pharmacy and of sanitary fittings from the official residence of the Medical Superintendent.

A visitor, Sharan Singh, said, “The hospital has security guards at the main entrance. But they are not useful when the premises has other illegal entry points.” He said in view of ensuring the safety of the premises, the wall should be mended.

However, it seems difficult for the hospital which does not have enough funds for routine repairs of the building. The sewerage system of the building has been lying choked for the past many years, as a result of which most of the toilets and urinals inside the building are lying blocked.

An official on condition of anonymity said, “The hospital authorities have apprised the ESI Corporation about the need to carry out repairs. The outer wall needs minor expenditure as compared to what is needed for the renovation of the building.” 

He added that the wall was broken by the workforce of contractors who were engaged around two years ago to fill the nearby drain over which a road has been constructed now.