Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, May 25: Despite Udupi's reputation for being at the forefront of healthcare in the state, the district government hospital in Ajjarkad is currently plagued by several issues, causing immense hardship to poor patients, their relatives, and the general public.
A major concern is the closure of the hospital canteen for the past month. While patients receive free food within the hospital, their attendants are forced to travel to distant hotels to find meals, creating a significant inconvenience.
Furthermore, reports indicate a shortage of essential medicines and injections at the hospital pharmacy. Patients complain that several prescribed medicines, often expensive, are unavailable internally, forcing them to purchase them from private pharmacies at higher costs.
There is a strong demand for the health department to ensure that all prescribed medications are readily available within the district hospital premises.
Similar issues are reported at the Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother and Child Government Hospital. The elevator in the multi-storey building has been out of order for several days, forcing patients, including the elderly and differently-abled, to climb stairs, causing severe discomfort.
There is also a lack of basic necessities available within the district hospital premises. Items like nutritional drinks, soap, oil, and toothpaste are not readily accessible. Similarly, at the mortuary, there is a shortage of essential items like plastic covers for bodies (both claimed and unclaimed), plastic containers for preserving body parts, and disinfectants, leaving the public struggling to procure them from outside.
Another pressing issue is the increasing number of destitute patients remaining in the hospital even after recovery. Social workers and emergency services frequently bring unidentified individuals in critical condition to the district hospital. However, there is a lack of a streamlined process for their subsequent rehabilitation. Social workers emphasize the urgent need for the district administration and health department officials to proactively arrange for the transfer of such recovered, destitute individuals to appropriate rehabilitation centres.