Lack of infra cripples Ruia Hospital

Tirupati: The casualty wing at Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital, popularly known as Ruia Hospital may soon get expanded once it gets nod from the government to the proposals sent by the hospital.

The hospital has been losing its sheen in the recent past not because of doctors but for the lack of basic amenities. Ruia caters to the needs of poor of at least five districts of Rayalaseema and Nellore and has become so popular in the region as it has several experienced doctors.

In the recent past, there has been a decline in amenities including unfulfilled vacancies. There are about 30 per cent vacancies in the faculty. The ever-busy hospital witnesses about 1800-2500 outpatients every day whereas almost 1000 inpatients will be there.

The casualty wing of the hospital has always been under scanner for one reason or the other. It can be seen overcrowded always as it could not meet the requirements of ever-increasing patients.

The wing has only 30 beds whereas the patients admitted for emergency will be around 70-80. Hence, it has become a normal practice there to accommodate two or three patients on a single bed.

Patient attendants used to argue with the doctors and other staff for a separate bed as it would be very much inconvenient for the ailing patients to share the bed with others. Recently, fourth additional district judge and Tirupati Mandal Legal Services Authority in charge Chairman G Ramagopal visited the casualty ward and expressed his unhappiness over the poor conditions there.

Following this, the hospital authorities have discussed various alternatives to improve the amenities at the casualty ward. They felt the immediate need of increasing the bed strength to 100 from the present 30.

The proposal was discussed at length at the infrastructure development committee meeting of the SV Medical College, Ruia Hospital and Maternity Hospital held on October 22. The hospital Superintendent has made it clear in the meeting that there is a pressing need to increase the number of beds till the new building works are taken up and gets completed.

The members of the committee also discussed the faculty vacancies, deficiencies in the availability of medicines in the central stores and strengthening of central lab among other things.

The proposals for the expansion of casualty have been sent to the government for approvals along with other requirements. The hospital authorities were confident of getting necessary permissions soon with which the conditions at the casualty can be improved well. Hospital superintendent Dr V Bhavani has said that, they were exploring all possibilities to improve the conditions in the hospital.

Also, the medical shop near the casualty was closed almost two years back and no efforts have been initiated to issue fresh tenders so far. With this, thousands of outpatients have no other alternative but to go at least half a kilometre away from the hospital to purchase them. During emergencies, patient attendants have to get the required medicines from outside.