MLAs, MPs draw residents’ ire for ignoring health services in city

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 1

Though tall claims are being made to make Ludhiana a smart city, the health services in state’s industrial hub have always been ignored by most elected representatives.

As the World Health Organisation has declared Covid -19 a pandemic, majority of private hospitals in the city are not coming forward to provide treatment to patients while there are no proper arrangements at the Ludhiana Civil Hospital. There were some ventilators available at the Civil Hospital, but the Health Department failed to make these functional.

Now, questions are being raised over the role of most present or former MLAs and MPs as these leaders have failed to make sure that the district-level government hospital in Ludhiana has all the required facilities. Many elected representatives attended inauguration or special events at private hospitals equipped with advanced technology machines and ventilators in the past. Such leaders always ignored the issues like lack of infrastructure, shortage of medical staff and technicians at government hospitals.

Notably, the 42-year-old woman from Ludhiana, who died due to the deadly virus, was referred to the Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala with acute respiratory syndrome as ventilators at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana were not functional.

In emergency cases, patients were referred either to the PGIMER, Chandigarh, or Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, in the past, but no efforts were made to ensure that the Civil Hospital had the required infrastructure and staff.

Kuldeep Khaira of Vigilant Citizens’ Forum, said, “None of the elected representatives have taken initiative to improve arrangements at the Civil Hospital. Health services at government hospitals have been always ignored.”

“Now, elected representatives, including the MP and MLAs should make sure that all patients get required treatment at hospitals. The government should hold talks with private hospitals so that patients can get required treatment. Otherwise, the government can also take control of such private health facilities. Safety kits must be provided to all medical staff and workers treating Covid-19 infected or other patients,” he added.

A Congress leader Parminder Mehta suggested, “All religious organisations should come forward to donate money to improve health services at government hospitals so that every patient can get treatment and lives can be saved.” “No ventilator is functional at the Ludhiana Civil Hospital. Unfortunately, private hospitals are not treating poor patients. If 42-year-old woman from Amarpura had got timely treatment, her life could have been saved,” he added.

A senior officer said, “Private hospitals are referring cases to the Civil Hospital. The administration will hold talks with private hospitals to make required arrangements at the earliest.”

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