Date:18/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/18/stories/2007071853950400.htm

New Delhi

Funds assured for hospital chiefs

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday announced that a certain amount would be placed at the disposal of the Medical Superintendents of all hospitals so that they are able to take immediate care of urgent maintenance needs. She also instructed the Public Works Department to undertake requisite maintenance of the hospitals on a priority basis.

Ms. Dikshit, who conducted a check at Jag Parvesh Chandra Hospital in Shastri Park, said the PWD has been instructed to cover all electricity lines and main switch boxes with false ceilings and shafts so that the hospital get a neat and clean look.

As some staff members and officials complained about non-availability of medicine, the Chief Minister instructed the hospital staff to review the existing system of distribution. Since it was reported by the hospital staff that there was no shortage of medicines, she asked the Medical Superintendent to streamline the management of services.

Ms. Dikshit inspected the emergency, OPD, wards, operation theatres and other units and interacted with a number of patients waiting for their turn in OPD and at medicine distribution counters. She found that there was an acute shortage of staff in the hospital that was creating difficulties in administration of medical care to the in-patients and the nearly 3,000 people who visit the OPD of the 200-bed hospital each day.