A security official checks passes of attendants at Sishu Bhavan. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Dec. 18: Authorities of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Postgraduate Institute of Paediatrics, popularly known as Sishu Bhavan, will strengthen its security measures at the hospital.

An attendant pass system has been introduced for the first time at the institute to check entry of touts, prevent overcrowding and reduce infection on the hospital premises.

“The attendant pass system was introduced yesterday. No other person other than the attendants can, therefore, now enter the wards — a practice that often create problems for hospital employees, including doctors,” said superintendent Niranjan Mohanty.

Mohanty said two passes would be issued to a patient’s attendants and they would be allowed to enter the wards after showing them to security officials at the entry points.

The move also aims to protect the interest of patients, who are often exploited by various touts, who mislead them and make them take admission at various private hospitals.

Besides, the system will also put a check on law and order situation arising out following patients’ death due to alleged negligence.

“I had admitted my son at the hospital last week and a person asked me to conduct certain tests, including the blood test, at a private clinic even though the same tests could have been done at the hospital,” said Kishore Dalei, an attendant from Keonjhar.

Apart from the attendant passes, guest passes are also being issued for better crowd management.

A fee of Rs 50 is being collected for two passes at the time of admission of patients. The money is returned after the attendants surrender the passes at the time of their patients’ discharge from the hospital.

Besides, the authorities have also begun process for installation of closed-circuit television cameras at various locations at the hospital. An official said that around 10 such cameras would be installed at emergency, outpatient department, medicine, surgical ward and entrance to the main building that encounter maximum inflow of patients. The installation work has begun for Rs 2.5 lakh.

A senior official said such measures could help fix responsibility and accountability among various medical employees.

More such cameras will be installed at other places, including the old building and administrative blocks, in the second phase.