Constructed for attendants, waiting hall being used for dumping scrap in SMGS Hospital

Constructed way back in 2006, an attendant waiting hall lying closed for several years in SMGS Hospital, Jammu.
Constructed way back in 2006, an attendant waiting hall lying closed for several years in SMGS Hospital, Jammu.

*No attention towards difficulties of visitors

Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Jan 28: In a big question mark on the working of those at the helm of affairs in the SMGS Hospital, a large waiting hall constructed about 12 years back for the convenience of attendants of the patients is being used to dump scrap. Due to this people visiting the hospital are compelled to sit in the corridors and face difficulties particularly during the cold weather.
According to sources, this lone waiting hall in the hospital was constructed under Constituency Development Fund by the former Member Legislative Assembly of Jammu East, Yogesh Sawhney so that the attendants of the patients visiting the hospital may not have to wait in the corridors.
Sources said the waiting hall was inaugurated on February 6, 2006 by the then MLA in the presence of the then Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Sonali Kumar and former Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, Dr Vijay Gupta.
“For about two years, the waiting hall remained open for the attendants but without any reason it was closed down in the year 2008 by the authorities of the hospital by ignoring the sufferings of the attendants particularly those accompanying Gyane patients, as the waiting hall is close to Labour Room and Gynae Emergency,” they said and regretted that this waiting hall is being used by the hospital administration to dump broken and old furniture including beds, almirahs, etc.
Sources further informed that every Gyane patient visiting the hospital is accompanied by at least two attendants and they have to wait in the corridors in front of the Labour Room or Gyane Emergency as there is no proper waiting hall.
“Though there are two waiting halls on the ground floor of the hospital, one just opposite to Labour Room and another near X-Ray Unit but both lack proper facilities. While one opposite to Labour Room has insufficient space to cater to the rush of attendants, another is an open temporary shed made of plastic sheets, which is of no use during night hours, particularly winters,” they lamented.
Sources further disclosed that the situation is worse on 1st floor of the hospital, particularly in front of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) B and NICU A, where attendants can be seen taking rest while sitting or lying on floor on both sides of the corridor, leaving little space for doctors, staff and other visitors to move freely. They said while walking through hospital corridors, one gets impression that he/she is at railway platform.
When contacted, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr Manoj Chalotra, said, “I will enquire why and in which circumstances this waiting hall was closed, and if the building is found safe, every effort will be done to open this facility for the attendants very soon,” he added.

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