Puttur: There is a considerable increase in the number of patients visiting the century old government hospital in Puttur complaining of fever and fatigue but the facilities to counter such cases are found wanting. To make matters worse, in this 100-bed hospital, 63 posts are lying vacant out of the allotted 112 posts .
About 80 patients visit the hospital daily seeking entry as in-patients where 97 beds are available with 3 beds placed in special wards. The number of outpatients visiting the hospital averages 500 daily and those numbers swell to 700-1000 on several occasions.
During the calendar year 2016, hospital recorded 68 cases of Malaria and 118 cases of dengue whereas during the first four months of this year, 30 cases of Malaria and 2 cases of Dengue have been reported.
The hospital has all major departments but unfortunately 6 doctor posts are lying vacant of the allotted 15 including that of surgeon, chief medical officer, physician, ENT and one in general medicine wing.
The hospital records 75 deliveries in the gynaecology department with 30 caesarian sections in a month but the post of obstetrician and gynecologist too is lying vacant to multiply the existing woes.
Inadequate staff has impacted the hygiene and cleanliness aspects in the hospital surrounding. The dumpster in the backyard near mortuary is overflowing and is likely to become the next breeding ground for mosquitoes, with monsoon widespread in the district. Doctors had requested the local City Municipal Council to provide underground drains few days ago. In addition, the hospital requires a generator and an ambulance too.
The hospital started as a Mandal (GP in those days) level health care centre in 1878 was upgraded to 25-bed hospital in 1928. Subsequently, in 1942 it became 33-bed hospital and later in the year 1952 it received 20 more beds to touch 53 bed mark. In the year 2000, it was further upgraded to 100-bed hospital.
Proposal has been submitted to the state government to start a full-fledged medical college and upgrade the existing one into a 300-bed hospital. With facilities lacking and patient inflow on the rise, only proactive decision making followed by action on the ground can comfort those waiting at the doors of the hospital seeking the healing touch.
Are “concerned” listening to those shrill voices? Only time will tell.
