Healthscare: Nizamia General Hospital infected with neglect

Nizamia General Hospital (Unani) at Charminar, which used to draw thousands of patients seeking gynaecological and paralysis treatment about half a decade ago, is now lying in a state of neglect. Patients from across the country and even abroad used to visit the hospital for treatment.


However, due to the absence of a gynaecologist (allopathic doctors were placed on deputation), the number of patients seeking gynaecological treatment has gone down from 1,500 a month five years ago to barely 100 now, say sources. The number of delivery cases have almost dropped to zero. When it comes to paralysis patients, around 20-30 still visit the hospital each month – a drop from over 50-100 each month previously.



As per insiders, the hospital had one allopathic gynaecologist doctor on deputation years ago, which used to attract a lot of delivery cases. Discouraged by the poor maintenance and facilities, the doctor sought a transfer and left, following which there was no new deputation. This slowly saw a fall in the number of patients seeking gynaecological treatment.

Of the 208 sanctioned posts in the hospital, 107 are vacant, say authorities. “There has been no recruitment in years and over the years many employees have retired. There are vacant posts in all departments, including sanitation, and we are managing with the little manpower that we have. Apart from the dearth of manpower, we also do not have adequate funds for maintenance of facilities and the supply of medicines is much below the requirement,” said hospital superintendent, Dr Chandrabhushan Rao.

Hospital authorities have made a representation recently to the Hospital Development Committee to address over 15 different issues plaguing the hospital. Currently, the hospital has a daily footfall of 700 out-patients, majority of which come seeking treatment for orthopaedic issues and pains, fever etc.

Apart from availability of doctors, patients say lack of cleanliness, water seepage and an unfunctional lift are the issues that they want to be addressed. “Patient’s who come with a knee or joint pain are forced to climb the stairs. Even taking support of the wall is difficult, as it’s a damp wall,” said an elderly patient. The hospital apparently had funds approved for renovation, but the contractor left the work mid-way and vanished altogether due to “political pressure”.