WARANGAL: Scores of women and relatives of heart patients came on to the roads and staged a rasta-roko on Friday demanding appointment of a specialist at the cardio thoracic ward in MGM Hospital.

The lone specialist A. Prabhakara Chary, retired from the services on February 28 having served for some two years. During his stint he succeeded in getting the funds and paraphernalia to the department.

He conducted 17 open-heart surgeries and 200 other heart related operations.

Kits sanctioned

The Government has sanctioned costly operation kits for over 50 patients at the MGM Hospital.

However, they are lying idle for want of a doctor. The Government has neither appointed a doctor nor extended the services of Dr. Chary.

The patients approached Warangal MLA B. Saraiah who promised to see that the services of Dr. Chary were extended within 24 hours, but in vain.

The patients and their relatives approached the Waragnal Collector and all other public representatives. Nothing came forthwith.

The joining of Dr. Chary was hailed by all political parties, as he proved that it was possible to conduct open heart surgeries in a Government hospital too.The poor and hapless people made a beeline to the hospital from neighbouring districts.According to sources, the hospital authorities were asking all the patients in the departments to go home and return after a doctor is appointed.

However, about 40 patients who needed immediate surgeries refused to go home and stay put continuing their agitations day after day.

According to tutor and cardio thoracic assistant B Mohan Rao, the Government had sent operation kits for 28 patients who were waiting for the operations. As per the hospital records, 50 patients had been waiting to be operated upon. It is learnt that Sudhakar Rao was posted to the department, but he is yet to join duty. On Friday, Collector Benhur Ekka visited the hospital and interacted with the agitating patients and their relatives.

Collector gives assurance

He promised to take up the issue with the Government and ensure appointment of a specialist within a week.

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