Bhopal: Attendants of the patients are forced to pull stretchers of their patients for immediate medical diagnosis in hospitals like Hamidia and Sultania. This is happening despite the availability of 149 ward boys and payment of crores of rupees by the hospital management to private health care company, which outsources them (ward boys).
Defending the decision, Hamidia Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr AK Shrivastava said, “What is wrong in it if attendants pull stretchers of their own patients. In fact, ward boys will be there but decision has been taken to allow attendants to assist ward boys to pull stretchers for smooth and speedy functioning.”
Other senior officials like ACS Radheshyam Julania said that if attendants are fit then they can pull stretchers of their patients instead of waiting for the ward boys. Ward boys have a lot of work to do and if they are not available, it is better to take self services to ensure immediate medical diagnosis. Hospital administration is now defending its governing body decision that in hospilas including Hamidia and Sultania Hospitals attendants be permitted to pull stretchers of their patients.
Julania added, “Relatives should not wait to bring patients to doctors in OPD and others medical experts. At times, ward boys are busy in emergency services, so relatives are supposed to pull stretchers without waiting for ward boys. Just for supportive or helping hands, decision has been taken to allow attendants of the patients to pull or carry the stretchers.”
