This edifice hardly serves its purpose

Tribune News Service

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Bathinda, February 4

The Cancer Short Stay Home that was constructed at a cost of Rs 3.15 crore has failed to attract attendants of cancer patients. It started functioning in December 2014.

On the occasion of World Cancer Day, only four rooms were booked out of which one was occupied by the staff for rest.

The contractors had given in writing to the Red Cross Society two months ago that the society could take back its contract as it was not profitable.

The short stay home lacks the facilities it promised to provide, including air conditioned rooms and canteen that could serve food to attendants.

At present, there are only three attendants staying at the centre that is equipped with 108 beds.

The lack of facility for food and canteen and the availability of a nearby inn are some of the reasons for absence of occupants here.

Rupinder Singh Sekhon, contractor of CSS Home, said, “Only four to five rooms are booked in a month and we charge only Rs 49 per room. It’s not profitable at all as the other health institutions are far away and attendants of patients do not want to stay at this stay home, which is too far. We serve tea but food in tiffin-box is available only on order.”

The Cancer Short Stay Home, adjoining the Bathinda Civil Hospital, has 24 rooms with attached bathrooms and 15 dormitories. It was established with the aim to provide comfort to poor cancer patients and their attendants for three to four-day stay during treatment under the state government scheme.

Earlier, the Cancer Short Stay Home had faced several problems, including water leakage, following which it was not handed over to any NGO.

Secretary of Red Cross Society, Colonel Varinder Singh (retd), said, “This short stay home is to be run at no profit no loss so that poor patients could be benefitted. The facility of canteen is not available as there are very less occupants and food can be provided through tiffin. The lowest rate of our room is Rs 49 but the nearby inn could also be one of the reasons for its failure to attract the patients.”