Tall claims of Govt. exposed In sweltering heat, GMC lacks safe drinking water, effective cooling system

Tall claims of Govt. exposed
In sweltering heat, GMC lacks safe drinking water, effective cooling system
Nitesh Sangral
JAMMU, July 10: These days the patients in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jammu are suffering not only from the shortage of drinking water but unexpected power cut in past many days has added to their miseries. One such example was the sudden technical snag in the Air Conditioning in the emergency block of the hospital, which has created chaos like situation in the hospital, amid the sweltering heat, which has engulfed the Jammu region. Sources said that GMC hospital has four orthopaedic and two ophthalmology operation theatres and the current cooling system is inadequate for them. Though the problem has been solved after hue and cry by the patients and their attendants, but it has raised question mark on the tall claims of the government that health infrastructure has improved in the state particularly in the government run hospitals. “There is no proper supply of water and patients are forced to buy water from the market as drinking water is of very poor quality, available in the hospital”, alleged a attendent of patient. He further said that in the GMC hospital existing cooling system was as old and needed replacement. Sources said that though the hospital administration claims to have submitted proposal to government for replacing the old cooling system but nothing has been done so far. The health department always tall claimed they are providing best healthcare facilities to the patients in the state. Patients claim that the doctors also delay some surgery cases because in theater temperature remains higher. “The doctors say they not put their life in danger. Generally, the theater temperature required 22 to 26 °C for the safety of the patients. The doctors also raised the issue with the administration but the authority has nothing done”, said a source. A patient’s relative Subash Singh said that he coming last two days in the hospital for operation his relative. Due to insufficient temperature of theater, the doctors postpone his relative operation. Every time, he get drink water outside the GMC hospital. There is no basic facility. He further said that almost many people go to outside the hospital for getting drink water and charging their mobiles. However when contacted, Govt. Medical College hospital, Deputy Medical Superintendent, Dr. Wasiq Rasool said that there is no problem of drinking water and electricity. The administration is providing 24 hours electricity in the hospital. He also said that on Tuesday insufficient cooling in the mentioned theaters but now that problem has solved. He don’t know about the proposal of replacement of old cooling system.