‘Operation Cleanup’ of Government Rajaji Hospital which is aimed at creating a more vigilant system has begun on Wednesday.
On the first day itself, the authorities were able to identify those who do not turn up for duty or collect money from patients and their relatives in various wards of the 2,250-bedded premier healthcare institution.
Sources said that a few regular employees of the GRH and also a couple of temporary staff on consolidated pay, who are suspected to be indulging in taking bribes and vanishing from duty after signing in the attendance register, were strictly warned.
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A few irregularities came to light when the Dean, N. Mohan, who assumed charge on June 29, along with his senior colleagues made a surprise visit at 6.45 a.m. to personally acquaint about what is happening in various wards during non-office hours.
Sources said that the Dean has been already apprised of the areas of concern and about employees known for demanding money from patients and other irregularities.
“I have formed a high-level committee within the GRH. Punctuality for staff, attending to grievances/complaints of patients, sanitation and crowd management are immediate priorities for us. The cleanup mission has begun,” Dr. Mohan said on Wednesday. He checked the attendance registers in wards.
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The two Resident Medical Officers – A. Pragadeswaran and K. Thiruvaimozhi Perumal- and S. Gandhimathinathan of GRH Trauma Care Wing have been entrusted with the additional responsibility of acting upon complaints and to set right things in the hospital. S. Vadivel Murugan, senior professor of medicine, has been made vigilance officer to enquire the erring staff.
“Things are now going in a positive direction in this hospital. Hereafter, we will be ruthless in dealing with the culprits who are tarnishing the image of hospital administration. Warning has been given that spot suspension, pending enquiry, will be the next step,” Dr. Pragadeswaran said.
The Dean is also planning to hold regular meetings with all Heads of Departments to monitor the implementation of cleanup action plan.
Meanwhile, as a first step, 10 complaint boxes were put up at vantage points in GRH for the public and patients to make complaints or give suggestions for better service. Two employees will collect the letters from the boxes daily and hand them over to the authorities.
The complaint boxes have been fixed prominently near the RMO’s room, casualty block, gynaecology block, mortuary and other places.
“Those who do not want their identity to be revealed can write down specific complaints and put them in the box. The gravity of the complaint will be assessed and anonymous complaints too will be taken up.
However, it will be better if people come forward with pinpoint evidence rather than making general complaints,” Dr. Pragadeswaran said.
At trauma care centre in the nearby annexe building, one complaint box is being kept at the main entrance, according to Dr. Gandhimathinathan.