Patients hopeful of better services at medical college after Aujla’s visit

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 25

With the local MP, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, visiting the Government Medical College (GMC) and Hospital on the very first day after the announcement of Lok Sabha election results, residents hope that the condition of the once premier institute would be improved.

Aujla visited the medical college for frequent surprise checks during his first term as well. However, he failed to help much in improving the services for patients as a section of faculty raised objections over his visits and complained to the state health minister.

But Aujla still managed to help in getting new radio diagnosis centre operational and contributed to the purchase of machines for cleanliness. Old timers at the college stated that the institute used to be a premier institute of the region before the government shifted its focus to the PGI, Chandigarh, after its opening.

A college faculty member, wishing not to be named, said, “It is good that the local MP is taking interest in the collegel. The GMC had high hopes when BJP leader Anil Joshi was the medical education minister, but things could not change somehow. The MP should take up the issue with the state government because an overhaul of the system is needed.”

Presently, patients at the hospital often accuse doctors and other employees of being insensitive and indifferent to their needs. “Even if a person is poor and cannot afford to pay bills at private hospital, he is not willing to get treatment at the government hospital. If the services are improved and people’s faith is restored, it will be the biggest facility to the people,” said Joginder Singh, a visitor.

According to Aujla, his aim is to restore Guru Nanak Dev Hospital of the college to its old glory in this year of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev the hospital is named after. Aujla said he had already sanctioned Rs 2.5 crore for the hospital during his first visit.

“The state government is also planning a revamp for the hospital in the coming months. Hopefully, people will see a sea change in the hospital services,” he added.