GTB Hospital: Ceiling portion falls in Orthopaedics dept, sparks safety concerns

Delhi: Fresh concerns have emerged over the condition of Delhi's Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital after a portion of the ceiling reportedly fell in the Orthopaedics Department, days after a ceiling fan allegedly fell on a patient in the hospital's emergency ward. No injuries were reported in the latest incident, while authorities said renovation and preventive maintenance work was underway.

According to hospital staff, the incident occurred around 11 am on Monday in Ward 20, where debris and a section of the ceiling reportedly fell in an area used by staff for rest. Fortunately, no one was present at the spot when the incident took place, and no injuries were reported.

Concerns were further raised after staff members also shared photographs from the Ophthalmology operation theatre showing rainwater leaking through the ceiling. Buckets had reportedly been placed inside the room to collect the dripping water. Staff expressed concern that such conditions could compromise patient safety and infection control, particularly in areas where surgeries are performed, reports HT.

Responding to the reports, the hospital administration said the incidents should not be viewed as evidence of structural failure. An official spokesperson stated that the hospital has been dealing with ageing infrastructure and has been carrying out preventive maintenance to avoid safety risks.

The administration further said that the Surgery Department has recently been renovated by the Public Works Department, while renovation of the Ophthalmology ward is nearing completion. It also stated that patient care services have continued without interruption and that the government has initiated measures to modernise emergency and trauma care facilities at the hospital.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, additional medical superintendent and official spokesperson Dr Parveen Kumar said, “The hospital administration reiterates that patient care services continue uninterrupted and all necessary preventive maintenance activities are being undertaken in the interest of public safety. Preventive removal of loose plaster should not be misconstrued as a structural collapse or building failure”.

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