Kochi: Shortage of nursing staff and non-deployment of specialists, including a permanent radiologist, have severely affected the functioning of Aluva district hospital.
Worst, the authorities could not even repair the X-ray machine, a basic requirement for first line of investigation in the hospital, which got damaged over two weeks back.
"Nearly 1,300 patients visit the hospital daily," said Seby V. Bastian, an independent councilor. "Diagnosis gets delayed due to lack of facilities. Even sick patients are being directed to get the test done from outside."
According to sources, the hospital has at least 17 vacancies including those of staff nurses, nursing assistants and attenders unfilled while a head nurse, a pharmacist and a nursing assistant are set to retire this month.
"The authorities are taking no measure to fill up the vacancies, affecting services to the patients despite the fact that the hospital follows the staff pattern of taluk-level health institutions. Further, there is no permanent radiologist deployed despite procuring the costly CT scan machine over a year and half," sources said.
Currently, a radiologist from a private hospital is deployed on a temporary basis for three hours daily. Though the health minister has asked the district panchayat to make the appointment during the installation of the CT scan machine, nothing happened in the last one-and-a half years.
The hospital was neglected when the government deployed staff to government hospitals enmasse under the 'Aardram' project.
When contacted, Dr S. Sreedevi, acting district medical officer, said the shortage of nursing assistants will be addressed once the poll process is over. "It's very difficult to get a permanent radiologist. We'll also consider the same," Dr Sreedevi said.
