No adequate security for Ruia

- CCTV cameras are not fixed in and around the hospital premises spread over 200 acres
- Four cameras are fixed at the casualty wing, says Ruia Hospital Superintendent
Dr B Sidda Naik
- Less than 50 security guards are on duty but hospital records say 120 hired apart from 12 supervisors

Tirupati: The authorities concerned have failed to take adequate security measures at Ruia Government Hospital despite knowing consequences of lack of security. Till now, CCTV cameras were not fixed in and around the hospital premises and no enough staff posted for manning security. The higher-ups assure of installing CCTVs whenever an incident takes place but the promise will be forgotten after a few days. No concrete efforts were made for the last one-and-a-half year to fix CCTVs in the hospital but the proposal is very much alive in official records.

The recent strike of junior doctors over the alleged abuse and assault by a lady clerk on one of their colleagues has brought the issue again to the fore. They strongly advocated that they don’t have any protection in the hospital and even in casualty wing. When a junior doctor and the lady clerk have made suicide attempt, the casualty block was over crowded causing severe inconvenience to other inpatients in the midnight. The security guards posted in the night duty were unable to control the crowd during the chaos and doctors had difficulty to walk in the casualty ward as there was no space.

Interestingly, about 120 guards and 12 supervisors were hired for security purpose as per hospital records. But, hospital sources say less than 50 security guards are on duty. They too did not get their salaries for the last four months from the private agency which employed them. It is a million-dollar question, who is reportedly pocketing the salaries of 70-odd security guards.

During the deliberations with junior doctors, hospital authorities have assured to install CCTV cameras. In December last year, an unidentified dead body was found completely burnt inside a toilet just opposite OPD block. At that time, hospital authorities said that immediate steps will be taken to fix the CCTVs Later, a dead body was also found in a remote area in the hospital premises.

Ruia Hospital was established in sprawling 200 acres. There were several complaints in the hospital from patients that they don’t have any security. Incidents of mugging were quite common in the premises. Incidents of miscreants mingling with others like attendants and stealing valuables of patients, when everyone is asleep, were reported.

Recently, two computers and CPUs were stolen from the OPD pharmacy and there is no safety for costly and highly useful equipment. Even after the administrative sanctions were given for Rs 25 lakh, the CCTVs were not installed. After assuming office, District Collector PS Pradyumna had directed the officials to identify an agency which will install and maintain the CCTV cameras. But, his directions went unheard.

APMSIDC Executive Engineer Nagesh said that they have submitted the specifications already and the Superintendent and Principal of Medical College should take a decision as to how many CCTVs are to be installed. Hospital management was supposed to call for the quotations but they did not do it till now. Ruia Hospital Superintendent Dr B Sidda Naik told The Hans India that they have installed four cameras inside and outside of the casualty wing.

The process for installing other cameras at other locations is pending and will be finalised soon. A doctor said that the higher officials should take the matter seriously keeping in view of the safety of patients and hospital staff.

V Pradeep Kumar