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Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, June 18
While on an average, more than 30 patients were being witnessed at the Nakodar sub-divisional hospital SDH during the earlier family planning camps, the June 4 family planning camp, which gathered notoriety for the way in which women were hoarded in a waiting space/passage post surgery, was the first one after a gap of two months.
Contrary to reports that two surgeons conducted surgeries at the camp, information surfacing during inquiry by the Chief Secretary and Deputy Director revealed that only one surgeon from Jalandhar had been deputed for the job at the camp on June 4.
While the Nakodar SDH has been holding camps on two Thursdays per month, the family planning camps at the hospital had been stopped after a laparoscope went out of order. The camps were resumed only after the machine was repaired.
The 50-bed Nakodar Sub-Divisional Centre or civil hospital has a footfall of more than 400 patients per day.
Despite being a busy centre, it has at least 10 vacant posts. It requires an orthopaedic surgeon, three staff nurses and seven to eight ward attendants. The hospital, which averages 70 deliveries per month, has one gynaecologist.
Meanwhile, the Mehatpur PHC where Dr Kulwinder Kaur works as SMO has also submitted a proposal for upgrade as CHC.
While the Nakodar hospital had previously been notorious for gynae-related complaints, it was after years of a gynaecologist working on deputation at the centre for three days, that the hospital got a permanent post of gynaecologist just a few months ago.
On December 4, 2017, a mother and child died due to alleged negligence of the same Nakodar hospital staff regarding which a complaint was also submitted on December 23 to the CMO. However, that complaint has also not been resolved so far.
Beds near OT not used
There are two wards with total 12 beds right outside the operation theatre near which patients were kept on rugs. Yet these beds weren’t used even as patients suffered in the heat outside.
Work burden
Increased number of patients during the June 4 camp led to pressure. Doctors said while pressure was usually created by ANMs for surgeries since it’s difficult to mobilise women patients to come again. Due to holidays and large women turnout, the doctors decided to hold the camp despite 33 women requiring surgery on the same day from a single doctor.
Had informed authorities, says Mehatpur SMO
Talking to The Tribune, Mehatpur SMO Dr Kulwinder Kaur said she had held the camp after seeking due permission from the District Family Planning Officer on May 25.
While she said the number of patients at the camp had been anticipated to be 20, only one surgeon had been sought. However, she informed the Family Planning Officer again on the afternoon on June 4, seeking an additional surgeon when the number of patients exceeded the estimate. But due to information being received on short notice, another surgeon couldn’t have come. Due to lack of requisite infrastructure at the Mehatpur PHC where she is in-charge, the camp was being held at Nakodar.
Nakodar SMO Dr Varinder Pal Jagat, who has CCTVs footage of various areas of the hospital from eight cameras, incidentally doesn’t have a camera outside the operation theatre.
He claimed he did not get to know about lack of post operative care at the camp. He said, “Had I known about the number of patients or problems in post-operative care, I would have found solutions.”
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