Hyderabad: Patients still thronging Nizamia, turned away

Hyderabad: Unaware of the fact that the Government Nizamia General Hospital has been turned into Level-1 treatment centre for Novel Coronavirus, several patients including pregnant women are arriving at the gates of the hospital, only to be sent back or referred to other government hospitals.

Md Kareemuddin, a paralysis patient, said that he went to the hospital for a check-up and for getting Unani medicine, but as the hospital was not engaging general patients, he returned. "The duty doctor advised me to continue same medication which is available in Unani stores in Old City," he added.

It has come as a rude shock for the families which are traditionally dependent on the century-old hospital for treatment, as they are learning about non-availability of services. Prior to turning this hospital into a COVID-19 treatment centre, women from weaker sections and those who had faith in the hospital's treatment preferred no other hospital. But the things have now changed and pregnant women and other patients are being turned away by authorities.

Mohammed Ayub, a resident of Falaknuma, said that he took his wife who is pregnant for consultation, but the security did not allow them to enter the hospital. "We were asked to visit any other government hospital for consultation," he said. He said that several people are visiting the hospital for consultation and the officials are returning them back.

Generally referred to as 'Charminar Dawakhana,' which specialises in paralysis treatment and maternity care, the hospital draws patients from afar, from other states as well.

According to the hospital authorities, daily several patients were returning as general patients are not being entertained.

"The entire hospital was vacated on March 21 and it was converted into a treatment centre which was quarantined for suspected cases. All the In-patients were discharged including paralysis, children and maternity patients were referred to the government maternity hospital and the consultation of out-patients was also stopped. Since then the Charminar Dawakhana is not consulting the general patients for precautionary measures to spread of virus," said Dr Hyder Yamani, an Assistant Professor.