Officials inspect quality of medical care at Women & Children Hospital

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 23

A team of officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare conducted an inspection of Women and Children Hospital (a wing of the Civil Hospital) here on Thursday. The inspection was part of a Central Government’s scheme ‘Laqshya’ under which the officials carried out checking at the labour room and maternity OT and the neo-natal care unit (SNCU) and other units of the hospital.

Notably, under the Laqshya scheme, the Health Ministry first evaluates the quality of medical services and equipment at health centres and if they meet the required standards, then they issue a certificate.

The officials checked if the quality of medical care was being rendered at the neo-natal care unit and gynaecology OT as per the required standards or not. The Laqshya scheme was aimed at ensuring quality medical treatment and reducing the maternal mortality rate (MMR) and newborn mortality rate.

Apart from the labour room, the newborn care unit, the immunisation unit and the emergency ward, the officials also interacted with doctors and assisting staff to get to know about their knowledge of their respective working areas. They also inspected medical machinery, medicines, medical machinery, basic amenities and hygiene standards followed in the hospital. Later in the afternoon, an inspection of documents was also conducted by the officials.

Officials of the Health Department and the inspection team remained tight-lipped about the state of affairs or if they found any anomalies in the functioning of the women and children hospital.

Meanwhile, during the inspection, many patients were troubled a lot as the main entry point to the first and second floors where the maternity ward and the paediatrics unit are situated was blocked. Patients were seen waiting for hours on the ground floor itself while some of them used the ramp to reach the second floor. A number of patients kept waiting for doctors outside the OPDs for hours as the inspections continued till evening.

A group of passengers rued that if the Health Department officials were to come for inspection, the hospital authorities should have ensured that patients were not harassed. If they had made proper arrangements, patients would not have suffered at the expense of such inspections.

Knowing Laqshya scheme

• The inspection was part of a Central Government's Laqshya scheme under which the Health Ministry first evaluates the quality of medical services and equipment at health centres and if they meet the required standards, then they issue a certificate
• The scheme is aimed at ensuring quality medical treatment and reducing the maternal mortality rate and newborn mortality rate
• However, it was tough time for patients as they were seen waiting for hours on the ground floor itself while some of them used the ramp to reach the second floor

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