NDMC-run hospital faces severe shortage of medicines

Patient-care services and availability of medicines at New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) run largest hospital, Bara Hindu Rao, continue to be a cause of concern. It has come to light that the hospital has severe shortage of medicines forcing the patients to purchase it from elsewhere at high prices.

The hospital staff has revealed that even the basic medicines such as cough syrup and anti-biotics are not available in its dispensary. Sources from the staffers’ union at the Bara Hindu Rao hospital, requesting anonymity said: ‘For months we have been facing shortage of medicines. Thousands of poor patients visit the hospital every day but leave without medicines.’ 

The sources also informed that they have brought the matter to higher authorities’ notice but in vain. ‘We have written letters, held meetings with medical superintendent of the hospital to tell them about the problem. They promised they’ll do something but nothing has been done so far’, said the union member.

To add to the plight, it has also been reported that there are no facilities of safe drinking water for patients as well as the employees of the hospitals. They have to rely on their own means. ‘There is no safe water for us and patients to drink. We have to buy it every day from outside. Water facilities are only available for senior doctors in their office premises where we are not even allowed to enter’, revealed the source.

Medical superintendent of the hospital RB Mittal could not be reached for comment on the matter.

As many as 5,000 people visit the hospital every day and it is said to be one of the best hospitals in the city run by a civic agency. The NDMC also started a medical college, which is run from the hospital campus itself last year.