The death of an inmate at Doon hospital has once again exposed the pathetic living conditions at the Nari Niketan located here.
Sixty-year-old Jamila who was an inmate of the Nari Niketan located in the Kedarpuram area of the city, died on Sunday night at Doon hospital. The patient was first admitted to the hospital in the month of October from where she was referred to a higher centre. The woman was taken to PGI Chandigarh but the hospital sent her back to the Nari Niketan.
Her conditioned deteriorated on December 21 and she was readmitted to Doon hospital. The Officiating Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) of Doon hospital, Dr DS Rawat told The Pioneer that the patient was serious as she was suffering from chronic liver and intestinal diseases. The patient was admitted in ward no 17 and was under treatment of Dr Mahavir Singh. Though the doctors are not officially admitting it they are of the view that the Jamila also suffered from malnutrition.
It is worth mentioning here that five female inmates of the Nari Niketan had died last year which highlighted the pathetic living conditions at the shelter home of destitute women. The overcrowded Nari Niketan houses 112 inmates though its capacity is only 60. Most of the inmates are suffering from serious mental disorders and in absence of proper care get infected with many diseases.
The poor living conditions of the Nari Niketan were time and again highlighted by different agencies and visiting government officials. last year former Cabinet Minister Amrita Rawat during her visit had expressed her displeasure on the conditions of inmates. Interestingly the state Human Rights commission had issued a show cause notice to the Principal Secretary and the Director of Social welfare department on the report of a social organisation ‘Empower Women’. The survey highlighted the claustrophobic atmosphere and pathetic living conditions but nothing seem to change for hapless inmates.
When contacted the district social welfare officer Ram Avtar Singh said that the woman who died on Sunday was brought the Nari Niketan about five months earlier. He said that the ill lady was admitted to the Doon hospital and an ambulance was sent to take her to the PGI Chandigarh. Singh said that the Nari Niketan has 80 mentally retarded women who should be shifted to a hospital for mentally ill.