Outpatient registrations in Hyderabad government hospitals take a beating

Hyderabad: The ongoing RTC strike and Dasara festive season had its effect on the number of patients visiting the major State hospitals in twin-cities. Osmania, Gandhi, Niloufer and Fever hospitals are witnessing a big drop in number of Out-Patient (OP) registrations for the last three days.

People from different areas within the city and outskirts like Vikarabad, Tandur, Hayathnagar, Medchal, Shadnagar, Shamirpet, Keesara visit the major State hospitals like Osmania and Gandhi on regular basis for treatments to various ailments. However, as the majority of the State transport buses off the roads, people from distant locations are avoiding their visits unless those requiring compulsory and emergency treatments.

Osmania Hospital that gets OP registrations in the region of 1,800 to 2,000 everyday received nearly 900 to 1,000 registrations in the last two days. Osmania doctors said that RTC strike, festive season and also the weekend meant a drop in the number of patients visiting their hospital.

Gandhi doctors said Dasara being a major festival in the region the drop in out-patients number is not a big surprise. Fever Hospital that has been frequented by 2,000 to 2,500 patients regularly from last July has also witnessed dip in OP numbers from October first week onwards. The average registrations in last few days is about 1,500 only.

According to Fever Hospital superintendent Dr K Shankar, viral fevers and dengue are on the wane and this trend will continue for the rest of the October. He stated that once the OP number falls to the usual 700 to 800 count they would like to get back to their regular OP rooms and stop using the lecture hall that is being used additionally to meet the heavy rush for the last few weeks. Also, we would request Osmania and Gandhi hospitals to call back their six General Medicine specialists, who were roped in to attend patients flocking the Fever Hospital for the last two-and-a-half months. At present, six doctors from Osmania and Gandhi are treating patients in addition to the 25-odd doctors on rolls of Fever Hospital.