11 months on, GNDH fails to operate ABG machine

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 17

Even after organising a demonstration of the Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) machine at the intensive care unit (ICU) around eleven months ago, the authorities concerned at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here have failed to get the machine operational. The machine’s working was demonstrated to the officials on June 15 last year. Till date, patients have to get their tests done from private laboratories.

Not only the patients have to pay more, but also they are required to wait for long. Every passing minute for the patients admitted to the ICU ward is crucial.

At the time of the demonstration of the machine, officials had claimed that the new facility would help in saving time and getting reports without any loss of time apart from providing monetary benefit of the patients. However, it seems that it has failed to serve any of the two purposes.

The ABG machine is used for test which is crucial for patients who need emergency care. The purpose of the machine is to check imbalance of electrolytes in body so that treatment could be started to save patient’s life.

The tertiary-level care centre, Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, is a clinical training institute associated with the Government Medical College where critical cases from even nearby districts are referred to on a daily basis. However, with people getting no benefit from a facility, which was set up 11 months ago, raises questions about the seriousness of the government in strengthening the health services for the poor.

When contacted, GNDH Medical Superintendent Dr Shiv Charan said, “I will personally look into the matter and ensure that the machine becomes operation as soon as possible. Presently, I am not aware of the details about the machine’s non-operational status, but I will enquire into it and take action.”