The condition of poor patients in the MKCG Medical College evident from some of the photographs is quite alarming. The premier hospital has failed to cater to the healthcare need of many poor and old patients.
According to information available, many patients are lying on the floor of the hospital without proper care. Some are lying undressed; some sleeping close to a dustbin and some sleeping over leftover food on the floor.
There is no one to look after them, alleged the Bharatiya Bikash Parishad State unit while releasing the images to the Press here on Sunday. Showing the plight of four patients, the Parishad said no medicine, saline or treatment were given to them and demanded action against the medical authorities. If no action is taken for such miseries, the Parishad will lodge a protest against it, the Parishad cautioned.
Parishad president Dr Surendra Panigrahi claimed many patients lie uncared for as no doctor visits them, though medical sources say the doctors are regularly visiting them.
According to a visitor, the patients lying on the floor appear very weak and their survival solely left to the mercy of God. The MKCG is south Odisha’s premier healthcare system on which the patients not only from Ganjam, but also from the entire south Odisha depend. According to information, the four unidentified poor and old helpless patients, including motor accident victims, lying on the floor of medical varandha for last 3-4 months is a blot on its face. Some of them are reportedly mentally retarded while others are poor and helpless. The hospital is allegedly not even providing bed sheet to sleep, lamented Panigrahi. Panigrahi further said that like any other normal patient, these patients have an equal right to get proper medical care including bed and medicines. Sources said that to take care of such patients, one attendant has exclusively been appointed and ten beds have been earmarked. But the ground realities are different.