Cong attacks govt over closure of OTS

THE HOSPITAL HAD SAID THAT IT WAS CLOSING THE OPERATION THEATRES AS THEY WERE UNSAFE

NEW DELHI: Attacking the Delhi government over shutting four operation theatres in the staterun Lok Nayak Hospital from December 1, the Delhi Congress on Monday said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is “killing” the public health infrastructure in the city to promote private players.

Addressing the media on Monday, Delhi congress chief Subhash Chopra said on one hand the AAP government boasts of increasing the investments on public health infrastructure and on the other hand they are shutting OTS because of the lack of surgery equipment.

“The AAP government is favouring private hospitals at the cost of government hospitals. This is an open case of corruption,” Chopra said on Monday.

Despite calls and messages, AAP leaders did not comment on the allegations. HT had reported on Saturday that four operation theatres (OTS) for planned general surgeries at the hospital would be shut from December 1 in “public interest” because they lacked basic equipment and were unsafe for surgery.

Every day, 16 to 20 major surgeries are done in three OTS and one has been unused for at least two years because it has no technicians.

“It is highly unsafe to operate in the operation theatres as these are lacking in basic essential items. As such, this office is left with no option but to order the closure of operation theatre A, B, C, and D with effect from December 1, 2019, in public interest,” read an office order by the head of the department of surgery Dr Pawanindra Lal.

Former Delhi health minister AK Walia said services in government hospitals were “collapsing due to lack of facilities”.

“On an average 16 to 18 surgeries are conducted daily in a major operation theatre, and the present waiting time for surgeries at Lok Nayak hospital is 30 days. The waiting time will get longer if four operation theatres of the hospital are closed, and the patients would be referred to private hospitals for surgeries,” he said.

Delhi Congress’ campaign in-charge Kirti Azad also attacked Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for his remark on Poorvachalis crowding Delhi hospitals.

“People from Poorvanchal have made a major contribution in the development of Delhi and the CM cannot insult them. Delhi is the capital and all citizens have a right to health care facilities here,” he said.