33% dip in OPD patients at Patiala's Govt Rajindra Hospital

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 28

The Covid scare continues to hit the patient count at OPDs of government hospitals. As per the data provided by the authorities of the Rajindra Hospital, the patient count in January was 20,165, which was 33 per cent lower than that in the corresponding period last year. In January 2020, the count was 30,422.

The hospital authorities said people were scared to take treatment as the Covid isolation ward was located on the hospital premises. The Covid ward here is one the largest isolation wards in the state.

Dr HS Rekhi, medical superintendent, Rajindra Hospital, said, “In November and December, the figures were even lower. The number of OPD patients has been increasing over time, but the overall footfall is far from normal.”

On the other hand, the number of OPD patients at private clinics has doubled. A senior pediatrician at Rajindra Hospital said, “The count of patients at the OPD of the paediatrics department has gone down from 300 in the pre-Covid time to 30.”

Another doctor at the hospital, said, “Fearing the spread of infection, people prefer visiting private clinics over government hospitals. Some have even discontinued their ongoing treatment at government hospitals.”