A day after DNA reported the unavailability of water in the premises at the North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run Hindu Rao Hospital, the tertiary care hospital managed to call tanks to run its emergency services. Doctors at the hospital confirmed that the emergency and Intensive Care Units had water on Thursday but there was still no availability in the wards.
“After two days of running a hospital without any water, the administration takes a step after the problem gets highlighted. This means they care more about their image than the patient’s well being,” said a senior doctor from the Residents Doctors’ Association.
The hospital received prior notice from Municipal Corporation in late-December mentioning that there will be no water supply between January 28 and 31, 2019, due to annual flushing of the reservoirs. Despite this, no local arrangements were made and there was no supply for two days.
The shortage of water had led to the postponement of various elective surgeries whereas emergency cases were being referred to higher authorities.
“Patients, the really sick ones, could not use the toilets and in extreme cases, doctors had to use bottled water to wash hands and see the patients. We know the last minute changes are difficult for the patients and thus apologized for the delay/postponement,” added a staff person on the condition of anonymity.
With over 1,200 beds and 5,000 patient footfall, every day in its Out-Patient Department, Hindurao is a major hospital under the civic body. But in the last three years, the facilities have been dropping.
As per the current figures, there is at least 35 percent shortage of junior and senior residents and no backup doctor.
DNA tried to reach the medical superintendent of the hospital, but she was unavailable for comments.
The municipal corporation said: “It is to clarify that DJB cleans it’s water reservoir every year, so keeping in view the water supply position Hindu Rao Hospital fixes dates for operations/surgeries accordingly. For other needs water is arranged through water tankers. It is routine function that is repeated every year. The remaining services are as usual.”