KOZHIKODE: The recently-constructed dormitory facility to cater to the bystanders of patients in the Government Medical College Hospital here have few takers as they cannot afford the rent of Rs 100 per day fixed by the authorities. It was built spending Rs 1.26 crore from the development fund of Mr A. Pradeep Kumar MLA and was opened to the public in January. According to the authorities, fewer than 10 people register for the dormitory daily while it can provide short stay facility to nearly 50 persons.
Ahamed Khader from Thamarassery, a bystander, told DC that he could not pay Rs 100 every day. “Once I admit my wife, a kidney patient, I will have to spend here about 7 to 8 days. Hence, Rs 100 is a big amount for me and similar is the case of many people coming here. We manage to sleep somewhere around the MCH and often we sleep on the verandas of the hospital,” he said.
“Since the facility is constructed for poor people, it should be given for free or at least the rates should be reduced for those who have to stay at MCH for longer time,” Ahamed demanded. N. Valsarajan, a social worker, said, “the five- storey building does not have adequate facility, including proper water supply.” The hospital authorities had earlier promised to launch a new pharmacy and a canteen but these have not been provided so far, he added.
