Paucity of surgical equipment at G B Pant Hospital spells misery for patients

The Govind Ballabh Pant (GB) Hospital does not have several basic amenities and requirements for its patients, as it is reeling under due to shortage of surgical equipments and other basic medical material. The situation has been existing since the past one year.

However, the hospital administration is claiming that this shortage is due to infrequent supply from Central Purchase Authority (CPA).

The hospital's surgical department does not have the basic necessities like cotton and bandages – Flatreel, Glucometer, Glucostick , Insulin Pen, Ultrasound Jelly, Urine collector, Transparent Dressing, Surgery blade.

In such situations, the patients are compelled to arrange for all the medicinal utilities. As per the government instructions, operation theaters are supposed to provide all the basic material used in surgery for free.

Only some of the essential equipment needed like stents, retina lenses are chargeable.

"The essential medical material provided is unable to meet the demand, so the doctor asks the patient's attendant to purchase it from outside," said an OT assistant.

The elementary materials are neither available at surgery departments nor at the hospital pharmacy. Even the Jan Ausihdhi Center counters are not able to meet the demand for basic medical stuff.

A pharmacist said, "The cost of these materials is very low in hospitals as they get them on subsidised rate. But for an ordinary customer, the price multiplies according to the customer wealth."

A set of gloves costs Rs 5 to 6 in the hospital, while patient attendant buys them for Rs 50 to 80. Same with Cannula, which costs Rs 20 in hospitals but a private chemist sells it as per the upmarket locality. It is available for Rs 100 per strip.

Dr Rajiv Chawla, Director, GB Pant Hospital said, "I am not aware of this scarcity of surgical items." At present, he is on leave.

The matter is under consideration with the administration.

"We will look into the matter but as far as my knowledge goes the entire inventory is easily available at our store", said a senior doctor.