Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission chairperson Nannapaneni Rajakumari, who made a surprise visit to the Old Government General Hospital (GGH) here on Tuesday, expressed concern over the poor amenities in the hospital.
She interacted with the patients, attendants and the hospital staff, and inquired about the problems. She was shocked on seeing two women sharing one bed with their infants in the wards. How can two PG students attend to hundreds of patients, she questioned.
“I have visited the Government General Hospitals in Guntur, Kurnool, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Visakhapatnam and Anantapur districts. But the amenities in the Vijayawada Old GGH are very poor and the patients are facing more problems in the State Capital. Most pathetic is that some mothers are minors,” she observed.
In some districts, the hospital buildings were in dilapidated condition and some hospitals were being run with skeletal staff and infrastructure. The overall situation in government hospitals in the State was not good, she said.
Severe staff shortage
“According to the Old GGH hospital authorities, more than 500 deliveries were registered every month, and last month the figure crossed 800. Of six units, only three are functioning and there is severe shortage of doctors and staff. About 30 specialist doctors, equal number of PG students, 200 nurses, paramedical and class IV staff are immediately required in the hospital, and a report would be submitted to the Chief Minister on the observations,” Ms. Rajakumari said.
