The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Poor infrastructure hits Woman and Children Hospital

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 05, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Poor infrastructure hits Woman and Children Hospital

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MAY 4. The dilapidated condition of the Women and Children Hospital at Mattancherry and the absence of emergency services at the hospital have resulted in a low turnout of patients at the hospital.

The hospital that has 132 beds now has only 50-odd patients. The hospital has four gynaecologists and three paediatricians but people in West Kochi prefer private hospitals. Only the poorest of the poor depend on the Women and Children Hospital, says one of the local residents.

The hospital's roof had developed leaks at several places and parts of the roof tiles have been missing for at least two years. Moreover, the Hospital Development Committee (HDC) hardly ever holds a meeting.

According to the Superintendent of the Hospital, Laila Radhakrishnan, the last meeting was held in January. Usually meetings are held only once in two or three months. Even when the meeting is held, there are usually very few people who attend it, the Superintendent said.

She pointed out that the HDC had only Rs. 50,000 with it while the hospital maintenance would require at least Rs. one lakh. The Public Works Department had inspected and estimated the cost of maintenance at Rs. 1 lakh a year ago, she said. "But nothing has happened so far. The Directorate of Health Services would release the funds only when they receive the required papers. Delay in paper work is probably causing problems," the Superintendent said.

The hospital is not properly equipped to meet emergency cases. According to sources, obstetric cases with the slightest complications are referred to the General Hospital. Lack of a blood bank and experienced hands are said to be the reason behind the decision to refer complicated cases to the General Hospital. Many of the staff members at the hospital are junior doctors. A case of alleged negligence reported from the Fort Kochi hospital hit the Women and Children Hospital. The hospital is doing better now, said the source.

It is said that some of the senior doctors who retired from the hospital and joined private hospitals weaned away quite a few cases from the Women and Children Hospital.

The hospital, which is about 100 years old and is expected to cater to people in West Kochi, once used to get patients from as far away as Chertala, Aroor, Vypeen and Munambam apart from the local residents from Fort Kochi, Thopumpady, Chullickal, Palluruthy, Eramalloor, Edakochi and other nearby places.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala

News Update

Stories in this Section

Ombudsman directive to complete cleaning of drains by May 31

A labour of love for Goshree bridges

Poor infrastructure hits Woman and Children Hospital

Congress-led front will come to power: P.M. Sayeed

Tipper lorry falls into quarry; 2 missing

Sonia's visit: traffic curbs today

Cochin Port Trust cancels licences of 4 boats

High Court moved for cleaning canals

Air-India casual staff form association

In Kochi Today