Dera Bassi Civil Hospital a picture of neglect
Satinder Pal Singh
Dera Bassi, June 4
The Civil hospital, Dera Bassi, which caters to more than hundreds of people from the entire constituency, has a plethora of problems. From shortage of nursing staff and gynaecologists to the lack of seating arrangements for patients and dysfunctional blood storage unit, the Civil Hospital presents a picture of neglect.
During a visit to the Civil Hospital, one finds patients as well their attendants standing in queues for hours and waiting for their turn to see a doctor due to the lack of chairs. There are only a limited number of chairs for patients and most of the people can be seen sitting or squatting on the floor waiting for their turn to meet the doctor or undergo any test.
“Ideally, the sanctioned strength of the doctors should have been increased with an increase in the inflow of patients. Even those doctors who are performing their duties conscientiously are finding it difficult to cope with the rush,” said one of the doctors on condition of anonymity.
Dalvinder Kaur, in-charge of Nursing, said: “Nurses at the Civil Hospital are also burdened due to staff shortage. They are forced to work for 12 hours a day. As per information available from hospital sources, there are at present only 6 nurses taking care of the patients in the Emergency and OTs out of the sanctioned strength of 10”.
Dalvinder said the remaining four nurses had been sent on deputation to other cities. Two had been sent on deputation at the School of Nursing, Ropar, one had been posted at the Civil Hospital, Kharar, and one is deputed in Chandigarh. Either they should be transferred permanently or brought back.
Dalvinder said these nurses get themselves deputed at other stations, but keep on drawing salaries from the Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi.
“We have written to higher-ups regarding the shortage of nursing staff at the Civil Hospital, but nothing has been done yet,” said the Nursing in-charge.
She said: “There are two sanctioned post of gynaecologists at the Civil Hospital, but only one post is filled. In the absence of adequate number of gynaecologists, nurses on duty are forced to handle delivery cases at night. If any C-section case comes, they have to repeatedly call up the doctor concerned or the patient has to be referred to Chandigarh or the PGI”.
Sangeeta Jain, SMO, Dera Bassi, agreed that there is a shortage of nursing staff at the hospital, but efforts are being made to provide proper health facilities to every patient.
Regarding the lack of seating arrangement at the hospital, the SMO said she would definitely look into the matter so that patients as well their attendants visiting the OPDs do not get harassed.
Jai Singh, Civil Surgeon, Mohali, did not pick up the phone despite repeated attempts.
