A large number of visitors at the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care block of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital attached to the K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College have a harrowing time in the absence of a waiting hall.
At least 100-odd persons, mostly women, sleep in the portico in front of the block or wherever space is available. Although a couple of waiting sheds have been constructed in the vicinity, they are always occupied to full capacity, forcing most escorts of patients and relatives to wait in the open.
So large is the number of the visitors waiting outside that a couple of police personnel have been deployed in the area to check theft of valuables.
Frequent quarrels could be witnessed between security staff and visitors who attempt to sneak into the ward during non-visiting hours.
G. Narayanan from Pudhur Uthamanur, who was waiting at the hospital to visit his daughter, said the problem was acute during summer and monsoon.
Additional waiting rooms should be constructed, he said.
S. Kalaiselvi of Mannachanallur said many of her relatives relied on the hospital, thanks to improvement in the delivery of health care. She said drinking facility should be improved as people had walk up to the canteen, located at a distance, to get water. Access to drinking water had become a problem after the recent upgrade of the maternity wing with modern infrastructure.
“Now, we handle more complicated cases which has created a sense of confidence among the masses,” says D. Parimala, Head of Department, Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the hospital. On an average, 50 deliveries are handled daily. A public address system has been put in place to inform the birth of the newborns to the attendants.
Both Dr. Parimala and P. Karkuzhali, Dean of the College, said that too many visitors for each patient caused the problem.
“Only 300 attendants could visit the ward at any given time. On the other hand, at least 600 persons want to visit the ward simultaneously,” they said.
Given the overcrowding, sanitation has taken a hit.
The sanitary workers have a tough task keeping the ward and its peripheries clean right through the day. Families often camp in the hospital for three days, bringing food from home and litter the area, hospital authorities said.
Seeking the cooperation of people in maintaining hygiene, Dr. Parimala said the presence of a large number of visitors could cause infection among the new-borns.
