The 1,800-bed Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) here, a major tertiary healthcare institution for southern districts, is virtually facing a close shave every day due to shortage of essential workforce for its operation theatres, namely, barbers and dhobis.
While focus is given for recruiting doctors, paramedical staff and sanitary workers, the GRH is facing severe staff crunch at the baseline due to inadequate hospital workers, male nursing assistants (MNAs), barbers, dhobis and office assistants.
As the duty staff have to be deployed for three shifts for all the wards, it is a herculean task for the supervisory staff to find the required strength to carry out basic works, especially during night shifts.
Hospital sources told The Hindu on Tuesday that the need for barbers and dhobis cannot be taken lightly in view of the increasing number of surgeries.
The shortage is becoming even more painful since staff from the main building are deputed to the nearby trauma care centre.
“We have only four barbers whereas the requirement is 18. We struggle while dealing with accident and emergency cases in the night. The hairdresser does an essential service by preparing patients for surgery,” said M. Vengatachalam, Sergeant, who handles staff deployment.
There is a shortage of dhobis to wash ward linen and other medical clothing. “There are 15 dhobis in the hospital whereas the sanctioned strength is 36. The bed strength earlier was less but now it is tough to manage the huge volume of patients,” he added.
According to him, the GRH is managing with 93 hospital workers and 33 MNAs. They are meant for three shifts and naturally at least 10 per cent of them will be on leave on any given day.
“Each shift needs 90 employees for basic hospital chores. All put together, we need another 500 hospital workers,” said Mr. Vengatachalam. At present, one hospital worker takes care of 80 patients which is practically tough.
A senior doctor said that staff shortage was an open secret and it was time appointments were made.
