One of the oldest maternity hospitals of the old city, the Government Suraj Bhan Bhagwati Bai Maternity, Shahalibanda, is facing space crunch these days. Even though it is a 50 bedded hospital but at any point of time 80 patients are admitted here.
“We adjust the patients by joining the beds together and accommodate three patients on two beds,” says M. Manjula Rani, Medical superintendant of the hospital. Around 400 patients visit the hospital every day.
It is said the district administration had expansion plans for the hospital. But authorities are in a fix due to unavailability of land in the vicinity. The present building being a donated one cannot be altered.
People from different areas of the old city and its extensions, prefer it due to transport connectivity. “Though we face some inconvenience in terms of accommodation problem we prefer it over private maternity centre’s as we cannot afford the huge bills,” explains a woman.
On the other hand the Jangammet maternity centre has now been turned into Urban Community Health centre and four doctors have been posted here along with support staff. It was earlier managed by the District Medical and Health Office and is now under the purview of Andhra Pradesh Vaidya Vidhana Parishad. The move has been welcomed by the public who feel these baby steps would prove it to be an alternative for Government Suraj Bhan hospital.
However, this premise lags behind in terms of facilities. It lacks a proper drainage system and is devoid of any drinking water facility. The only bore well needs frequent repairs.
Then absence of facilities for scanning are not extended here forcing the people to shell out money at private diagnostic centres. The operation theatre here is awaiting equipment to carry out surgeries. “If these facilities are extended we would be saved from travelling to hospitals too far from our houses,” explains Noorunnisa, a resident of G.M. Chawni.
