Grim state of maternity ward exposes govt’s lofty promises

A visit to the maternity ward at the Civil Hospital here reveals a shocking lack of basic amenities, starkly contrasting with the state government’s lofty promises of improved healthcare for the common man. The facility faces severe issues, including a shortage of beds, lack of potable water, and unhygienic conditions, particularly in the washrooms.

Patients are left in dire circumstances, with two expectant mothers forced to share a single bed. The absence of clean drinking water is another major concern, with patients relying on a water tank provided by an NGO, as no provision for potable water exists in the building. The maternity ward’s washroom, used by both patients and their attendants, is in a dilapidated state, raising significant hygiene concerns. For pregnant women, already vulnerable to infections, this lack of sanitation poses serious health risks.

Sohan Singh, a resident of Mamdot, shared his ordeal, stating: “My wife was admitted last week, expecting to give birth any time. We were shocked by the poor infrastructure. There’s no drinking water in the entire building, so we have to arrange our own. The two ceiling fans in the ward are inadequate for the extreme heat and humidity, so we even brought our own pedestal fan.”

Another patient’s husband, Ravi Kumar from the cantonment area, echoed similar sentiments: “My wife gave birth a few days ago, and though the doctor advised us to stay longer, it’s very difficult in these conditions. I’ve been pleading with the doctors to discharge her early so we can go home where I can provide better care.”

Dr Nikhil Gupta, the officiating SMO, acknowledged the challenges. He confirmed that while 65 antenatal care (ANC) patients and 27 postnatal care (PNC) patients were currently under supervision, the hospital only had 27 available beds. “ANC patients visit the ward every other day, while PNC patients remain for a minimum of five days, depending on their condition,” said Dr Gupta. He assured that the hospital staff were doing their best but had already informed higher authorities of the critical situation.

The state of this maternity ward highlights the urgent need for action to address the glaring gaps in healthcare infrastructure and services for expectant mothers.