Irrespective of various attempts made in the past to improve the facilities at the biggest State-owned hospital—Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) - no serious step seems to have been taken to address the need of patients so far.
Even after the frequent intervention of Chief Ministers, senior officials to curb the irregularities here, the situation at RIMS remains pitiable. Having entangled in several controversies in the past, the hospital is even now devoid of one of the basic services-- availability of sufficient number of beds for the patients admitted in different wards.
The shortage of beds at the premier health institute is an open secret that has not been resolved since decades. On Friday the situation of the Neurosurgery Ward including a few other wards appeared the same as the issue of bed crisis continues leaving both patients and their attendants in complete despondency.
“My son-in- law is undergoing treatment here at neurosurgery ward, we had requested the administration thrice to provide bed for the patients but no one paid heed towards this nor seems interested,” said Balmiki Mahto in despair.
lambasting the RIMS management another patient’s attendant who had come all the way from Sahibganj said, “The condition of neurosurgery ward is simply disgusting. Forget about the corridor, the condition outside the main ward is as pathetic as here in this corridor. Every now and then, we are living under the threat of getting infected. Authorities do not care about us,” said, Rukmini Ghanjhu.
Besides, Neurosurgery ward that has maximum number of patients undergoing treatment on floor, the condition of Medicine ward as well is no less than that of Neurosurgery ward. As per the records, the Medicine ward has the provision of merely 50 beds but here too the patients flow is quite high leaving the patients with no other option than to undergo treatment on floor.
Former Director, Dr. Bl Sherwal during his tenure had assured to increase the numbers of beds especially at Neurosurgery ward from 110 to 250. The government owned hospital and college has approximately 1200 beds. But, the number of patients at any given time here is beyond 1500. A nurse on Friday on anonymity said, “The crowd in the corridor is of patient’s attendants that gives public a wrong perception. We do take care of all patients and attention is given to all.”
On April 25, Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Nidhi Khare visited the hospital to check the facilities being given to the patients. During her visit, the issue of bed crisis of predominately raised. Khare had then instructed the officials to ensure sufficient number of beds for the patients or else officials can submit their resignations.
When contacted RIMS Superintendant, who was present during the inspection and had expressed his inability to meet the requirement, SK Choudhary on Friday simply stated that soon the issue of beds crisis will be resolved. “I am not in Ranchi. Soon, the issue of bed crisis will be dealt.” However, he remained tight-lipped when asked about any alternate plan for those undergoing treatment on floor.