Jamshedpur: Opposition BJP on Monday staged a demonstration in front of the state-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) “because of the hospital’s lackadaisical attitude in repairing some of the essential healthcare machines”. Carrying placards and shouting slogans, the party leaders, including former Baharagora MLA Kunal Sarangi, accused the hospital authorities of indulging in corrupt practices.
The party claimed that cardiac magnetic resonance machine, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine and computed tomography scanning machine are lying defunct for several weeks. “Most of these machines cost around Rs 5 crore and they have been bought with public money. Top officials in the hospital procure these high-end machines to earn a commission but they end up compromising on their quality, resulting in their break down,” BJP leader Vikas Singh said.
When asked, MGMMCH superintendent Sanjay Kumar said the agency which was responsible for the maintenance of the machines left the job mid-way and the defunct ones could not be repaired. “We have contacted a new agency and hopefully the machines will be restored soon,” he added.
A senior MGMMCH doctor preferring anonymity said that they had approached the health department for funds in order to repair the machines but they haven’t been sanctioned yet.
Singh said that if the machines are not restored within the next 30 days, then they would collect money by begging on the streets and repair them.
As many as 200 patients visit the out-patient department of the 500-bed facility on an average.