Many patients in the twilight of their lives are abandoned in the premier health institution of the State — Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) — by their kith and kin who either cannot afford to take their care or do not want to shoulder their responsibilities.
60-year-old Ashok Adhikari who was admitted in RIMS C2 (orthopedic) ward a year ago for the treatment of fractured pelvic bone, is now passing his days on hospital corridors. His curse is not because of the hospital administration but his own family members have chosen this life for him.
He explaining his ordeal said, "I was working as a mechanic in a garage at Bokaro. One night after dinner I and my wife along with our seven-year old daughter went out for a stroll on the street. While we were enjoying the 'family time' my leg fell on the banana peel. I lost my control and had a great fall. later on, a fracture in my pelvic bone discovered and the doctors there referred me to RIMS hospital for further treatment, my family brought me here and never turned up. For the past one year I am waiting for their arrival. Initially, for five months the hospital took my best care but later on they shifted me to the corridor for non clearance of my bill. The hospital in-charge advises me to take shelter in old age home but I deny them. I believe that one day my family will come here to take me back and if I go away from here will never be able to meet them."
The case of Pankaj Kumar Singh (50), an amputee, is similar. He too is reeling under the wish of taking his last breath in his own sweet home for past one year. However, he always remains tightlipped on questions concerning his family. "I feed myself from the food offered by the passersby. I do not remember my home address neither have their contact number. My only wish is to close my eyes in the presence of entire family members," said Singh.
like Ashok and Pankaj there are many other 'cured' patients who have been shifted to the hospital corridors after their relatives could not be traced.
"Since 2008 we have rescued as many as 217 unknown patients. We have reunited as many as three to four patients with their relatives on producing address," said C2 ward Dr Sumit.
He further added that it is painful to discover that their sons or relatives themselves bring them here and leave them at OPD premises. "We have limited beds in every ward. So we have to shift them to corridors," added Dr Sumit.This, however, is the scenario of the orthopaedic ward only. The hospital management does not have data base for the number of such abandoned patients.
RIMS Medical Superintendent Dr SK Choudhary said that the hospital tries to provide maximum medical facilities to such patients. "Moreover, we also seek help from the police to reunite them with their relatives. "We cannot throw them out at this stage so we allow them to stay in corridors," added Choudhary.