Jalandhar civil hospital burn unit in a shambles
JALANDHAR: Owing to the long wait for setting up an ultramodern burn centre, the civil hospital authorities seem to have forgotten the existing burn unit. The burn unit of Shaheed Babu Labh Singh Civil Hospital has now turned into a normal ward.
Patients admitted with severe burns are left to fend for themselves, as the AC and fans installed in the wards, have been out of order for several months now.
On August 25, Mehatpur police had brought four burn victims, including a man Naseeb and his three daughters, after their house was set ablaze by their neighbourer.
During an HT correspondent’s visit of the unit on Sunday, victim Naseeb who is undergoing the treatment was seen uncovered on the bed, with two staff members attending him. Also, the attendants were seen visiting, wearing slippers and shoes, and sitting in the ward with the patients.
The attendants were even eating in the ward. A foul smell was emanating from the ward, with the door open, putting the patients at a high risk of catching infection.
The defunct AC, dusty and sheet less beds and no separate bathroom for patients painted a stark picture of government’s apathy .
An attendant on the condition of anonymity said, “Only two fans and one light is working. The staff has been informed about the out of order appliances, but to no avail.”
He also said that they have no choice but to keep the ward door open for ventilation.
In the female ward, Nasseb’s daughters Neha (12), Priya (8) and Vandana (6) are undergoing treatment. The situation in this was also not good.
Requesting anonymity, a doctor at the hospital said that setting up and maintaining a burn ward was not a child’s play as the room requires an anti-bacterial environment and proper cooling.
“Entry of people into the ward should be restricted due to high risk of infection,” he said.
A staff member said, we have asked the attendants to avoid visiting their patients but they ignore.
Medical superintendent Dr KS Bawa said that he will look into the matter at the earliest.
In June this year, the hospital authorities had proposed a modern burn unit at an estimated cost of ₹1.5 crore under the National Programme for Prevention and Management on Burn Injuries (NPPMBI) of the central government.
The Centre and state will share 60:40 ratio of the construction cost.
The proposal for the same will be sent to higher officials in Chandigarh.