Patients made to do rounds, left in lurch

Erragadda: ESI government hospital here, run by Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) of the Central government, is allegedly making patients wait for long hours needlessly, despite availability of doctors. Patients from all corners of Hyderabad visit this hospital. Some say they have to spend whole day to undergo check-ups.

Two patients who had met with an accident were seen taking care of each other at the hospital. Speaking about their plight, they said, "We are badly tired after roaming all the blocks of the hospital since morning for consultation. "We are here for check-ups and my 56-year-old uncle is badly injured and could not walk. We requested for a helper to take him to other block as referred, no one is bothered to help us.

After several requests I could manage to get a stretcher. To provide it, officials took my original driving licence. Despite being injured, I had to push the stretcher and no one cared to help us. And we are still waiting to meet doctors and seek consultation," said Pagadala Sinu.

"My father Srinivas is suffering from chest pain and we are here for a check-up, since 9 am. We were made to wait for no reason at the waiting hall. We got registered at 12 noon. Then, at the last minute after entering doctors room at 3:30 pm, he referred to another doctor, saying he was not the doctor concerned.

From 9 am to 4pm, we could not avail of treatment and are still waiting for doctor consultation. I don't understand such a famed hospital would expect patients to wait these long hours. It is very disappointing and we have no option but to come back tomorrow as the referred to doctor is currently not available," said one Prasad.