Telangana junior doctors seek statewide safety, infrastructure audit of Govt Hospitals
Hyderabad: Following a series of recent hospital incidents, the Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) has urged the state government to conduct a statewide safety and infrastructure audit of all government healthcare institutions.
The demand comes after a fire at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, in which five infants died, and a ceiling collapse at MGM Hospital, Warangal, that injured three patients.
Also Read:RIMS Adilabad SNCU fire: 3 infants die, 2 remain critical
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that an electrical short circuit in a window air-conditioning unit is suspected to have triggered a fire at the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, late Monday night, resulting in the deaths of three premature infants and critically injuring two others.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TJUDA said the incidents had highlighted continuing deficiencies in infrastructure, maintenance, safety systems, funding, transportation and patient-care facilities across government hospitals. “The incidents should serve as a wake-up call for preventive and corrective action across the government healthcare system,” it added, reports the Hindu.
TJUDA called for a State-wide audit covering government medical colleges and teaching hospitals, district and area hospitals, community and primary health centres, SNCUs, NICUs, PICUs and ICUs, emergency departments, operation theatres, blood banks and diagnostic facilities.
The association said the audit should assess structural safety, electrical and fire-safety systems, medical-gas installations, generators, lifts, HVAC systems, water and sanitation facilities, emergency exits and medical equipment.
It also called for critical deficiencies to be risk-classified and rectified within a defined timeframe.
Raising concerns over the long-standing infrastructure and maintenance requirements at MGM Hospital, TJUDA urged the government to expedite the Warangal Super Speciality Hospital and make visible progress towards its operationalisation within one month.
The association also sought improved hostel facilities for postgraduate residents, undergraduate medical students, nursing students and other healthcare trainees. For healthcare workers posted in remote areas, it called for safe residential quarters, security arrangements, adequate lighting and CCTV surveillance
As per the Hindu, TJUDA also highlighted the shortage of dedicated vehicles at PHCs, CHCs, government medical colleges and peripheral institutions. It said the lack of vehicles affected field visits, disease surveillance, immunisation, maternal and child health programmes, emergency referrals, sample transportation, health camps and disaster response.
Also Read:Days after false ceiling collapse, plaster falls at MGM Hospital Warangal
