In a horrific example of apathy in Indian hospitals, a patient at Ranchi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Jharkhand was served food on the floor of the hospital ward on Wednesday as the kitchen staff said they had 'no plates'.
RIMS in capital city Ranchi is supposed to be the best government hospital in the state. The hospital has an annual budget of Rs. 300 crore.
The patient, hospitalised at the orthopaedic ward for having fractured her hand, has been identified as Palmati Devi. Her fractured arm was bandaged.
According to an eyewitness, when Palmati Devi asked for food, she was initially rudely turned away and later, served daal, rice and vegetables on the floor of the corridor of the orthopaedic ward where she was admitted. The kitchen staff told her they had no plates.
"It's not a common practice but we have started an inquiry and will take action those who served the food on the floor and then forced her to eat from there," BL Sherwal, the hospital's Director, told media.
The state of hospitals and how patients are treated came under intense media glare after a poor tribal in Odisha, Dana Majhi, walked 10 km carrying his dead wife's body on his shoulder after being denied hearse facilities.