(Top) A temple on Capital Hospital premises, encroachment near Sishu Bhavan and the shopping complex inside the hospital. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Capital Hospital may have got a major boost with the commissioning of cath-lab and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) machines, but a number of problems continues to plague the premier healthcare centre. Encroachment remains a cause for concern even as a market complex on its premises is yet to open its doors to the public. The Telegraph takes an in-depth look.

Temple inside hospital

It started as a small place of worship near two medicinal plants of tulshi and bel. Soon, however, it took the shape of a regular temple with the help of contractors who usually undertake hospital work. A retired hospital employee has been running the temple that is visited by many who come to the largest referral hospital of the state with high hopes. “The business of faith is perfect for the retired hospital employee and many employees are actively supporting the man. We have asked the contractors and junior engineers concerned not to help the man anymore in case he builds a full-fledged structure there. We will soon take stern action to get rid of the structure. As people tend to link religious matters with popular sentiment and politics, we are approaching the matter cautiously,’’ said a senior administrative officer.

Encroachment inside Sishu Bhavan

Sishu Bhavan near Forest Park is a specialised dispensary to treat paediatric cases and is under the administrative control of the chief medical officer (CMO) of Capital Hospital. A contractor, who built a flyover connecting Sishu Bhavan Square with Mausima Temple Square, had put up some temporary sheds made of corrugated sheets nearly 15 years ago. This man has “occupied” a large part of the paediatric dispensary that also has counters dealing with diseases such as thalassemia. “In the past, many CMOs have tried to evict the illegal occupant, but the man has political links, and so they were unsuccessful. The contractor’s people even tried to dig a borewell there without any permission from the authorities concerned,’’ said a senior administrative official.

Here too the senior official said he had discussed the matter with senior health department officials and action would soon be taken to vacate the land.

Market complex

A market complex that came up more than a decade ago on the hospital premises is yet to open its doors to customers. The complex was supposed to bring restaurants, fruit shops and medicine shops in one place, instead of being scattered all over the hospital premises. But it has been lying closed ever since it was built in 1998. “The basic purpose of the complex is already lost. It was built with Rs 40 lakh investment but by now, the state government has possibly lost an equal amount in rent from the complex, which also has toilet facilities for traders. Its location in front of Infosys Paediatric Ward is also a strategic one. But it has been lying closed for so many years, it must have been damaged to some extent by now. Also, hoodlums have been using the complex premises,’’ said an official of Capital Hospital.

A decision regarding the rent of shops in the shopping complex is yet to be taken and this could be the reason behind the delay in opening it, a source at the hospital said. But he could not explain why the fixing of rent could be an issue for so many years. “Fixing the rent comes under the jurisdiction of other departments. The health department has to depend on these other agencies. That could explain the delay,’’ he said.

Chief medical officer’s take

On the various problems of the Capital Hospital, CMO Nirmala Dei said as a healthcare service provider, the hospital had been able to provide specialised services in cardiology, nephrology, biochemistry, paediatrics and intensive care on a par with any medical college. Issues such as encroachment and the opening of market complex would be solved immediately and the higher authorities would be apprised of the situation.