The health services of the capital’s AIIMS Bhopal are once again under question. This time the complaint has come to light regarding the nursing and housekeeping staff of the hospital. Lalita Sinha, 79-year-old mother-in-law of Bhopal Additional Collector Manoj Verma, is undergoing treatment in the chargeable private ward of AIIMS after hip fracture. Family members allege that despite getting a private ward for better facilities, they are facing problems for basic care.
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Staff arrives late even after repeated calls
Additional Collector Manoj Verma said that if needed, nursing staff has to be called many times and in many cases help is available after 15 to 20 minutes. He says that elderly patients need immediate care, but the system is not up to expectations. He said that since I am an officer, everyone knows me, yet no hearing is taking place. I told the staff but no one listened, I will complain in writing tomorrow.
Asked for extra money for changing diapers
The family alleges that the housekeeping staff refused to accept diaper changing as their responsibility and asked for additional payment for it. After this the family had to hire a private caretaker to take care of the patient.
Cleaning was not done for two hours
The family members claim that one day after the patient’s bowel movement, no one came to clean it for a long time, due to which the patient had to face inconvenience. He says that for this reason the patient could not even eat food on time despite the advice of doctors.
Questions on the system, not on doctors
Additional Collector Manoj Verma said that he has no complaints with the treatment and behavior of the doctors. Their displeasure is only regarding the nursing and housekeeping arrangements. He says that cleanliness and care of elderly patients admitted after operation is the responsibility of the hospital and sensitivity should be shown in it.
AIIMS management asked for written complaint
Public Relations Officer of AIIMS Bhopal, Vikram Bhatti said that the family members were contacted as soon as information about the case was received. They were told that if any kind of negligence or indecency has happened to them, then they should give a written complaint, so that strict action can be taken against the concerned employees. However, till now the hospital management has not received any written complaint in this regard. Bhatti said that the family members had raised the matter in the afternoon. At the same time, he was requested to give his complaint in writing, so that immediate investigation could be done and action could be taken against the concerned employees if found guilty. He said that AIIMS management takes the complaints of patients seriously and on receipt of written complaint, immediate investigation will be initiated as per rules.