Panipat civil hospital in poor health

Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Panipat, January 24

The maternity wing of Panipat’s Bhimsen Sachar General Hospital is mostly dependent on private doctors. Though there are three gynaecologists, two surgeons and two anesthesiologists posted in the hospital, the administration has to call private surgeons and anesthesiologists for cesarean deliveries. The department has paid Rs 5 lakh for cesarean deliveries in 11 months, while 541 pregnant women were referred in three-and-a-half month period.

It was revealed in an RTI query sought by activist Deepak Malik. He sought information from January 1 to November 30, 2019.

According to reply filed by the Health Department, the hospital administration had called private anesthesiologists for 122 times and surgeons 41 times during the 11 months and paid Rs 1,43,500 to surgeons and Rs 3,66,000 to anesthesiologists.

Total 10,259 deliveries were conducted at general hospital of which 595 cesarean were conducted in 11 months. Besides, 541 pregnant women were referred to Bhagat Phool Singh Medical College for Women at Khanpur Kalan in Sonepat and to PGIMS, Rohtak, from September 1 to December 16, 2019.

As per sources, the general hospital administration has made contract with three private surgeons and six anesthesiologists to conduct cesarean deliveries in emergency hours at the rate of Rs 3,500 per visit for surgeon and Rs 3,000 per visit for anesthesiologist.

“Doctors usually refuse to come during night hours despite being on call,” said a staff member.

Amit Kumar, a social activist, said it was unfortunate that despite having doctors posted there, the authorities had to call private doctors for cesarean operations.

A large number of patients, five patients on a daily basis referred to Khanpur and Rohtak, also raised questions over working of doctors at the general hospital, he added.

Dr Alok Jain, Medical Superintendent, general hospital, said it had been allowed to call private doctors — surgeons, pediatricians and anesthesiologists — for cesarean delivery during emergency. “We have called private doctors as one gynaecologist is on childcare leave while an anesthesiologist is also on childcare leave,” he said. “We paid them as per the rate decided by the Health Department,” he added.