COVID-19 Pune: Bouncers at jumbo hospital facility creating nuisance for patients and relatives

Pune: Citizens, relatives of patients, elected representatives have raised apprehensions about the appointment of bouncers at the doors of jumbo hospital at COEP Shivajinagar. Jyotsna Ekbote, a PMC Corporator from this ward, has also submitted a letter to the civic body three days ago demanding removal of these bouncers. However, no action has been taken against them.

The state government has set up a Jumbo Covid Care Centre at COEP ground at a cost of over Rs 100 crore. It was hoped that the 800-bed capacity centre would provide better treatment to Covid-19 patients in Pune. In fact, it has been the subject of controversy since its inauguration. A new controversy has erupted over the appointment of bouncers by the private agency managing the facility.

Jumbo hospital has a shortage of doctors as well as nurses. So despite the fact that patients are not getting treatment on time, nine bouncers are guarding the both the doors of the jumbo facility. They are creating fear among the relatives of the patients.

The bouncers are misbehaving with relatives who are at the jumbo facility to attend the patients and provide homemade food. Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao himself has instructed the management to speak properly to the relatives of patients. However, it appears that the management did not heed his suggestion.

Appoint police personnel instead of bouncers

Citizens have questioned the appointment of bouncers at a place where patients are treated. The patients who come to jumbo are sick, does it suit the management to bully them through bouncers? The relatives are demanding that the police should be appointed instead of the bouncers.

Negligence by management committee

The new management committee has decided to appoint police personnel here as the doctors in the jumbo hospital are being ‘harassed’ by the relatives of the patients. In this regard a discussion has happened with Pune Police Commissioner K Venkatesham. However, the committee has not taken any decision regarding the removal of bouncers which may be a nuisance to the patients and their relatives.