Regularly review services, GMC deans told

Nagpur: Secretary of Medical Education and Drugs Department, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, has asked deans of all government medical colleges (GMCs) in the state to regularly review situation of patients and resident doctors in every department. These instructions, given through a correspondence earlier last week, came following recent assaults on resident doctors in West Bengal.
These instructions are important, especially in case of Nagpur as both the GMCs in city are overburdened with patient load. Recently, an incident of assault on doctors and a complaint about inadequate services in the delivery ward were reported at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).
Dean of one of the GMCs in Nagpur confirmed that he has received the letter. “We have been asked to be more alert and conduct our periodical reviews without fail. Accordingly, all necessary instructions have been issued to the department heads,” he said.
The letter further states that senior doctors and technicians must remain present in hospitals during their duty timings, especially in case of indoor patient treatment. It also directs seniors as well as resident doctors to improve communication with patients and avoid clashes.
Deans in medical colleges in Yavatmal, Akola, and Chandrapur have also received the correspondence. More than 14 women admitted in maternity ward at Yavatmal GMC had suffered surgical infections in April this year. As these medical colleges gets plenty of patients from the peripheral areas, deans have been asked to give additional attention towards communication between residents and rural patients.
For safety of doctors, patients
Deans must conduct periodic reviews of all sections
Senior doctors, technicians and nursing staff must attend their ward duties
Record of attendance should be updated regularly
Deans should conduct surprise inspections of wards
In case of any untoward incident, strict and quick action should be ensured against those responsible