Hyderabad: Allegations that old security guards are back in new uniforms are doing the rounds at OGH. There are 72 guards at the hospital. The agency was changed due to protests by junior doctors but more than half of them are old guards in new uniforms. The earlier uniform was cream and blue and now they are light blue.
A volunteer who helps poor patients on condition of anonymity said, “We are seeing the same old faces in new clothes. They are the same guards, but we are here to help patients who have difficulty finding their doctor.”
In the case of the car accident, volunteers were helping T. Mallesh, Mohammed Iqbal and Vijay K. who were quickly treated and discharged. A volunteer on condition of anonymity said, “After the incident, the RMO called the police and they were asked to treat those with minor injuries and move them away. Due to the presence of a large number of angry people, they were attended first and asked to go so that there will be no hue and cry.”
At first the doctors and staff tried to pacify those who were hurt but in the case of the two patients whose injuries were serious not much could be done.
OGH Superintendent Dr G.V. Murthy said, “It’s a police case and they are investigating. There is no need for any investigation by the hospital.”On why Dr Rehan Querishi gave the keys of his car to the security guard, Dr Murthy said that he would not be able to comment on that.
Other senior doctors said that speeding on hospital premises had been an issue but as no one was injured so far it was never addressed.
Another junior doctor at OGH on condition of anonymity said, “This is not the first time that a security guard has asked for the car keys of a doctor. This is normal just like in hotels and malls. The doctor was doing a surgery and could not walk out from the theatre at that time.” There are no CCTVs at OGH.
