Delay in treatment of patients becoming concern at JP Hospital
| Date :06-Jun-2019 |
Staff Reporter:
Inspite of changes made in timings in OPD (Out Patient Department) patient’s treatment is getting delayed at JP Hospital. Especially, the patients who come in afternoon have to wait for long hours to get treatment. Scorching heat and unavailability of doctors are adding to the problem. Ritika Mathur, a localite who has come for treatment for her teenage son, says that thought OPD timings have been changed it is very tough to get doctors in afternoon. Sometime lunch time is also extended making patients to wait. Due to soaring temperature there are many patients coming with heat stroke.
It would be better if senior citizens and children are taken care first as to avert any unkind incidents due to sun stroke. As per hospital authorities, due to exposure to these extreme temperatures good number of patients are coming with weather-related problems. This not only includes heatstroke, but also problems associated with breathing difficulties but at times relatives lose their patience to wait for their turn which in turn creates problems.
The Health Department has made OPD of all Government hospitals to work from 9 am to 4 pm from June 1. Besides, 45-minute lunch break is being given to the hospital personnel with the posted doctors. However, during this time the hospital emergency service is supposed to continue with its staff. Ram Manohar, who came to admit his ailing mother, said that there is need of more stretcher and wheel chairs in hospitals. Many times during emergency no stretcher is available.
The delay is also witnessed in pathology department, the OPD patients have to wait for sample collection. Notably, it was pointed out that vacant posts of specialist doctors needs to be filled in hospitals soon. Filling up of these posts will reduce the shortage of specialist doctors and proper treatment can be provided on time. However, Dr I K Chug, the Medical Superintendent of JP Hospital, has said that hospital is focusing on improving processes and outcome. Last year JP Hospital had become the first district hospital in State to have installed CT scan machine under PPP scheme. CT scan machine facility was started for significant boost to trauma and emergency care at the hospital. The machine is being installed on a Public Private Partnership (PPP)-basis under which a nominal fee would be charged from general patients and government would bear the cost of diagnostics for below-poverty line patients.