SPOT THE UNIFORM AT TWO OF THE STATE’S ‘BEST’ GOVT HOSPITALS 

Uniforms for patients, bought for over Rs 1 crore four years ago, are lying unused at two premier government hospitals.

The Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) bought the dresses for Rs 97 lakh and the Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) spent Rs 42 lakh on them in the year 2012. But apart from a handful who undergo surgery, no patient at these hospitals is given the uniforms, which are meant to shield them from infections and also help identify them.

Muneshwar Singh, an 80-year-old admitted in the Rajendra Surgical Block of PMCH, smiled wryly when asked why he was not wearing a uniform. "The hospital has not even provided me a bedsheet and you are talking about a uniform!" he said. "The uniform scheme also might have become the victim of some scam. I have serious doubts whether the uniforms were really bought."

The son of Chandeshwar Rajak, a patient from Bhagwanpur village in Vaishali district, was more vocal when asked about his father's missing uniform.

"Madam ji, here the patient's life is at stake," he said. "Last week, a portion of the ceiling fell just in front of my father in the neurological ward where he was admitted. I complained to the hospital authorities after which his operation was postponed for few days as they were unhappy with my complaint. My father's operation was done last Tuesday only after my repeated requests. The situation at government hospitals is such that you can get things done only if you have some connections in the corridors of power."

Sandeep Singh, nephew of Rajandhari Singh, a patient admitted in the PMCH's emergency ward, was shocked to learn that hospital had spent Rs 97 lakh on uniforms for patients. "This is sheer wastage of money! The health department should punish all those who are responsible," he said.

The scenario was similar at the NMCH.

Ganesh Thakur (70), admitted in the NMCH's emergency wing, did not even know that patients were supposed to get uniforms from the hospital.

Chinta Devi, wife of Rajendra Prasad Keshri, another patient in the NMCH's emergency wing, said: "The washrooms here are very filthy. Washing clothes in such unhygienic surroundings increases chances of infection. It would have been good if the hospital had implemented the uniform scheme."

Hospital authorities played passing the buck when asked why patients were not being given uniforms.

PMCH superintendent Lakhendra Prasad said the medical college principal was responsible for the implementation of the scheme and he (the principal) should take action against erring officials.

The superintendent then offered another explanation: "What can we do if the sister in charge doesn't give uniforms to patients in various wards? We are helpless."

Medical college principal S.N. Sinha said the superintendent, the hospital manager and the sisters in charge of the various wings were responsible. He also said the uniforms were kept in the hospital store.

"As per the health department's decision, every patient was supposed to be provided with uniform in the hospital and as per the plan uniforms of the patients was supposed to be changed every day," Sinha said. "However, this has not been implemented at PMCH. This is also because we do not have adequate staff at the hospital. The health department did not take all these issues into consideration (when deciding on the scheme)."

He added: "Earlier, the nurses would give the patients a sponge bath on a regular basis. Even this is not in practice in government hospitals now."

The PMCH nurses had their own explanations.

"Many patients escape from the hospital without fulfilling the necessary norms," said a nurse who did not want to be identified. "How can we take the risk of providing uniforms to the patients in this situation? What if they escape with uniforms? We would be charged for the same."

Another nurse said: "If we have to change uniforms of patients, it would only increase our workload. The hospital is always overburdened with patients."

NMCH superintendent Anand Prasad Singh was not even ready to accept that the hospital had failed to provide uniforms.

"Patients are already wearing uniforms in our hospital," he claimed. "We require more uniform for patients; the stock available with us is inadequate. That's why you can't see all patients wearing uniforms."

The Telegraph team could not find a single patient wearing a uniform in the NMCH's emergency wing.

Approached for comment, health minister Tej Pratap had no idea about the uniform scheme. He, however, added: "This is a serious matter. Necessary action would be taken if any official is found neglecting his/her duty."