Staff shortage hits Namakkal GH

NAMAKKAL: The Government Hospital here, the only government hospital in the State to be accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health Care Providers, faces shortage of staff in almost all departments.This hospital with 313 beds, has lost its sheen which it had during and before the accreditation process. Staff strength crashed drastically as personnel who were on deputation returned to their parent hospitals.Sources told Express, the total strength of physicians is just 37, but a district head quarters hospital should have at least 65 physicians. The total number of nurses is 36,  instead of 90 which a district headquarters hospital must have. This staff shortage hits the service rendered to the hospital. “Everyday, from 1,000 to 1,500 patients visit the hospital. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, the number touches 2,000,” a senior doctor noted.Patients’ Woes Inadequate number of physicians and experts makes the patients wait for hours together. It is a routine scene in the out-patient unit where even aged and the differently-abled have to wait for hours  Sometimes, one or two doctors attend on hundreds of patients. They are not able to attend each patient personally, since they concentrate only on clearing the rush, sources from the hospital told.The hospital premises are dirty and filthy, since there are only three sweepers to cater to the needs of the hospital. Those on contract basis were shown the door recently, resulting in mounds of solid wastes and garbage dumped inside the hospital compound.  The hospital pharmacy must function round-the-clock, which is one more norm of accreditation, but in the Government Hospital, the dispensary is reportedly closed at about 12 pm.  When asked, Dr Mohan, Resident Medical Officer of the hospital, attributed lack of adequate staff to all the problems.