VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla

Sambalpur, Aug. 18: Patients at VSS Medical College and Hospital in Burla are suffering as its laundry service has come to a halt.

The laundry job of the hospital, including supply of bed sheets, was outsourced to a private firm. However, the private firm has withdrawn its service about one-and-a-half month ago.

“The bed sheets and the pillow covers of the patients should be changed regularly. However, it is no longer possible in the hospital now. Several patients are now forced to sleep without a bed sheet, which increases risks of infection,” said a local resident, Bhuwan Biswal.

“Earlier, the bed sheets and the pillow covers used to be given to local washer men for washing. However, the service was outsourced to private firms and the bill was being paid from the users’ fee,” said adviser of the of VSS branch of the Odisha Medical Workers’ Association Nihal Singh.

“The private firm withdrew the service forcing the patients to suffer. All this happened because of mismanagement of the hospital authorities,” he said.

He also said that there was no need to outsource the laundry job. “The local washermen can provide better service and they are more dependable,” Singh said.

“The patients are suffering as the private company has stopped its service. The hospital authority should not outsource the service anymore,” said Binayak Kumar Dwari, a social activist.

The manager of VSS Medical College and Hospital, K. Mahanta, admitted that they were facing problems as the private firm withdrew its service. However, he said that they had made alternative arrangements to manage the situation.

“We are now giving the clothes to local washermen for cleaning. The hospital has also purchased 400 bed sheets to manage the situation,” he said.

A fresh tender has already been floated for the laundry service of the hospital. The problem is expected to be resolved within 15 to 20 days, he added.