Kolkata Aftermath : Civil Hospital authorities wake up from slumber

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, August 23

The Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, has finally woken up from a deep slumber as it will be repairing its non-functional CCTV cameras keeping in view security arrangements of the hospital.

‘Services to be suspended if demands not met’

The development came after the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) asked the Health Department to ensure safety measures 24x7 and if their demand was not met till September 9, it would go for an indefinite suspension of services.

The development came after the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) asked the Health Department to ensure safety measures 24x7 and if their demand was not met till September 9, it would go for an indefinite suspension of services.

The Health Department swung into action in the aftermath of the murder-rape incident occurred at the Kolkata hospital and it will be making adequate security arrangements at the Civil Hospital.

Flood lights will be installed, which will light up the entire campus. Talks are also on to increase number of security personnel at the hospital.

For the 200-bed hospital, at present there are only three security guards. One is stationed at the main gate of the mother and child hospital, one at the emergency ward and the third one outside the labour room. Two policemen are also deployed at the hospital.

A staff nurse said most of the CCTV cameras were lying defunct and floodlights were also non-functional.

“People often enter labour room without permission due to which one guard is permanently deployed outside the room. We need better security arrangements at the hospital,” she said.

A doctor said as incidents of clash were often reported here, the authorities need to make proper security arrangements at the hospital, which caters to the entire district.

Dr Pardeep Mohindra, who recently assumed the office of the Civil Surgeon, said they would lighten up every nook and corner of the hospital. The present number of security guards are not proving enough for the 200-bed hospital. Hence, more guards will be employed in days to come.

“The SMO, Civil Hospital, Dr Harpreet Singh, joined recently. I have given him weeks’ time to prepare a detailed report and chalk out a plan for strengthening security arrangements at the hospital. A review meeting will be held in a week and everything will be finalised,” Dr Mohindra said. Cycles, X-rays, stamps of doctors, mobile phones, benches, taps and even newborn babies have been reported stolen from the hospital in the past due to lack of security arrangements.