Patients’ attendants brave cold at GMCH-32

Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 14

The premises where an indoor fountain has been built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh, is nowadays serving as a shelter home for patients’ attendants at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in Sector 32, Chandigarh.

A large number of people can be seen lying on the floor with blankets on to protect themselves from the chill whereas the hospital authorities have discretely converted the “sarai building” into a nursing hospital.

Harmohan Dhawan, former city MP, said initially patients’ attendants used to stay in the serai, located near the hospital. “But, I do not know the present status,” said Dhawan.

The serai (though the name remains unchanged) was converted into a nursing college-cum-hostel whereas a makeshift shelter was erected near the entrance, which is presently not serving the purpose.

“Hundreds of patients visit the hospital every day. The gynaecology department of the GMCH-32 is famous in the entire northern region. The hospital should make some provision for the stay of attendants,” said a man refusing to be named.

Keeping in view the huge rush of patients, the Social Welfare Department has also constructed a double-sized temporary shelter home outside the hospital.

“But the shelter home has been occupied by homeless and bystanders. We have no other option but to camp inside the hospital for shelter,” said Varider Singh, whose relative was undergoing treatment at the GMCH.

Another resident said the attendants had to stay put inside the hospital for buying medicines. An official at the hospital said the GMCH- 32 authorities were trying for the sanctioning of the nursing college. “However, they did not have the infrastructure to back their claim. In other to obtain the approval, the serai, primarily built to provide shelter to patients’ attendants, has been converted into a nursing college,” said the official.