Date:29/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112960130300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Victoria doctors gear up for any emergency

Staff Reporter

Grade separator connecting BMC and Fort on K.R. Road sought

Decision taken to set up a disaster management team
Entry of people into hospital to be monitored

Bangalore: Is Bangalore prepared to meet a Mumbai-like emergency? Are the city’s hospitals well equipped to deal with emergencies when there is a disaster?

Top doctors of the State-run Victoria Hospital, who held an emergency meeting on Friday, discussed these issues and chalked out a contingency plan to ensure that the health needs of victims of disasters are met on time.

Though the discussions were mainly about equipping the hospital and setting up a disaster management team, the doctors resolved to urge the State Government and the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to construct a grade separator connecting Bangalore Medical College (BMC) and the Fort on K.R. Road.

This would help in free flow of vehicles and enable quick entry into the hospital premises.

“Because of haphazardly parked BMTC buses in front of the main gate and the chaotic traffic on K.R. Road, ambulances carrying patients, mostly from rural areas, get struck for more than 20 minutes near the hospital entrance. This problem might prove costly in times of disasters. We urge the BBMP and Government to construct a grade separator here,” sources in the hospital said.

The meeting chaired by Dean and Director of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute G.T. Subhas resolved to set up a disaster management team comprising all surgical specialities.

“To monitor the entry of people into the hospital, we will put up metal detectors and CCTVs at all entrances to the hospital. Two metal detectors have already been put up and six more will be installed in a day or two. The CCTVs will be installed in the new ward, casualty block and master plan building,” Dr. Subhas told The Hindu after the meeting.

Pointing out that the minor operation theatre in the hospital, which was equipped to handle only two patients at a time, would be extended to take care of four patients, Dr. Subhas said a mock exercise would be conducted soon to test the hospital’s preparedness.

“We have decided to add a laryngoscope for artificial respiration and ultrasound machine in our emergency ward. Apart from the medical team that mans the out-patient department on a routine basis, a back-up disaster management team would also be in place,” he said.