Date:15/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/15/stories/2008091557890300.htm

New Delhi

Hospitals in the Capital put on high alert

Staff Reporter

They have been asked to tighten security

‘We have installed door frame metal detectors at the entrance of the nursing home’
‘We are trying to regulate the number of attendants coming in with the patients’

NEW DELHI: Handling the maximum number of patients from the Saturday evening serial bomb blast, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital along with other government and private hospitals has been put on a high alert and asked to tighten security.

“We have installed door frame metal detectors at the entrance of the nursing home and security has been increased at the hospital to ensure that no unidentified objects are left around and any suspicious looking person is immediately handed over to the police. We have been put on high alert and have been asked to ensure that all precautions are taken to avoid any untoward incident. Circulars have also been issued to the heads of departments so that all the hospital staff know about the measures to follow in case of any emergency,” said RML Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. N. K. Chaturvedi.

Giving details of the bomb blast victims, Dr. Chaturvedi said of the 69 admitted to the hospital, 44 were discharged on Sunday. While eight persons were brought dead, one person expired at the hospital.

“We are now treating 23 patients of whom four are serious.”

The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences has also beefed up security and will be issuing a general alert notice to all its staff members.

“While the Delhi police have ensured adequate security, we are also seeking the co-operation of the general public to ensure that they avoid overcrowding. We are trying to regulate the number of attendants coming in with the patients,” said Institute spokesperson Y.K. Gupta.

He said the hospital had received five patients on Saturday and all of them were under treatment, but out of danger.

Stating that all help had been extended to the victims of the serial blast, Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri said: “We have instructed all government and private hospitals to provide adequate care to the victims. We have also asked the hospitals to be on a high alert for any attacks and maintain general preparedness. We will be holding another review meeting on Monday to see how we can help the victims.”