Hyderabad: Caught between GHMC and the medical health department, attendants of patients are being deprived of the promised night shelters.
The GHMC has shortlisted seven government hospitals where night shelters were to be constructed on three floors. But the medical health department has refused to give permission citing various reasons. Only the Nims director has given a nod for these shelters at the hospital.
Officials in the GHMC said, “The Director of Medical Education (DME) is objecting to the GHMC taking up the work in the six government hospitals, except for Nims.
A letter was also addressed to the DME seeking cooperation to handover the concerned sites for taking up construction, as this project has been proposed by GHMC in public interest, but till date there has been no response from the DME.”
At every hospital, attendants of patients have a tough time due to lack of proper shelters. They are seen having meals in the corners of the hospital and sleeping in open verandahs, porticos and staircases. Each patient is allowed two attendants.
Dr Putta Srinivas, director of Medical Education, TS said, “The CM has directed all government hospitals to construct patients attendants’ shed with all basic comforts and for this the TS Medical Infrastructure Development Council is identifying lands. The issue is not objecting to the GHMC, but land availability.”
However, the locations for construction of shelters at the seven hospitals were identified after consultation with the concerned superintendents; letters were also addressed to the hospital heads to hand over the site to take up the work.
