Power outages hit RIMS Hospital

Srikakulam: Frequent power interruptions plague the state-run Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Hospital and hampering quality treatment for patients coming from across the district. The State government established the RIMS Hospital in 2008 along with medical college to provide quality treatment to poor patients in the district.

Initially, 100 medical seats are allotted to RIMS Medical College and recently, the government has enhanced the seats to 150. Proposals are also prepared for increase of beds strength to 1,000 to serve patients better. For providing better treatment, quality power is essential at RIMS for all wings.

But frequent power disruptions are hitting the patients badly. Particularly during summer from March to June these interruptions are being increased every year. For better power supply, AP Medical and Health Infrastructure Development Corporation (APMHIDC) officials paid Rs 11.51 lakh to the AP Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) in March 2012.

As per agreement, APMHIDC paid the amount to APEPDCL for establishment of separate power feeder and three phase supply lines to RIMS Hospital and Medical College as well. At that time, feeder points and supply lines have been arranged from Chilakapalem, Amudalavalasa and Tulugu sub-stations.

But three-phase supply is being possible practically only from Chilakapalem sub-station and not from other two sub-stations at Amudalavalasa and Tulugu. If power supply stopped from Chilakapalem sub-station, only single phase supply is available for RIMS which is leading to interruptions.

"We have explained the power supply related problems to APEPDCL superintendent engineer (SE) B Deva Vara Prasad," said APMHIDC executive engineer (EE), K Rambabu to The Hans India. "We will resolve the issue soon after verifying the alternative possibilities for better supply of power," APEPDCL SE B Deva Vara Prasad told this newspaper.