Darbhanga, April 7: Eight patients admitted in the de-addiction centre of Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital have been told that they would not be served food by the hospital as there was no one to cook for them.
A ward boy gave the news to the patients and their attendants while serving breakfast on Thursday morning. Rakesh Kumar Singh, the doctor on duty, confirmed the same.
DMCH deputy superintendent Baleshwar Sagar said: "We can do nothing. All the staff members, including ward attendants deputed to keep a check on patients from fleeing, have been engaged in the panchayat elections."
The nodal officer of the de-addiction centre, Upendra Paswan, said denial of food would make patients weak and aggravate their withdrawal syndromes.
Rakesh said he was keeping a tab on the activities of patients from closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
There are three patients who do not have their relatives with them at the centre.
Rukhsana, whose husband has been admitted in the centre, said: "My husband tries to flee from the centre time and again in search of liquor. He even attacks me when I resist. I don't know what to do as there are no guards to keep a check if tries to flee again."
Darbhanga district magistrate Balamurugan D. said he was unaware of the entire episode. "As it has come to my notice now, I will issue an order to withdraw all such staff from election duties," he said.
Another patient was admitted on Thursday morning but all he could utter was his name - Ranjit Shah - before fainting time and again. He was found unconscious on the roadside. Police admitted him in the emergency ward and was later transferred to the de-addiction centre.
The centre has been provided with three doctors, including Upendra, who is a psychiatrist. Three ward attendants, three nurses, a clerk and a data entry operator have been earmarked to run the 10-bed centre.
Upendra said he was trying to make alternate arrangements to provide food to the patients till the issue is not dealt in a proper manner.
Panchayat elections in Bihar would be conducted in April and May in 10 phases.
