Pune PMC News | Dialysis machines not functional at Kamla Nehru Hospital; Service on ventilator, patients suffer; Who is responsible?

On Jul 6, 2023

Pune PMC News | Dialysis machines not functional at Kamla Nehru Hospital; Service on ventilator, patients suffer; Who is responsible? — File Photo

PUNE : Pune PMC News | Eleven dialysis machines at the Kamla Nehru Hospital have been non-functional for three months. It has come to light that the machines have not been repaired for three months. Of dialysis machines available at the hospital, only four machines are working at present. As a result, the PMC’s dialysis service is on ventilator.

In private hospitals, it costs at least ₹2,000 to ₹2,500. In civic hospitals, the cost is only ₹400. Hence, many people prefer to take treatment in civic hospitals. However, the number of machines is adequate in civic hospitals and the latest facilities are not available. The PMC operates dialysis service on PPP basis. Since there is no control over the service by the civic body, this has a direct effect on services provided to patients. The health department of PMC was unaware that dialysis machines are non-functional in Kamla Nehru Hospital since many days. Since the employees had not received salaries for six months, the dialysis service was closed for a day. Since the PMC is not submitting bills on time, employees don’t get their pay on time. Hence, there is always a shortage of staff in this section.

The PMC does not give bills on time and dialysis service is available in other hospitals. Since the number of patients visiting the hospital foe dialysis is less, the machines are shut, the employees said. It takes lot of time to do dialysis and PMC’s medical college has also been started on the premises of Kamla Nehru Hospital. Hence, less beds are available for dialysis.

The hospital is facing many problems while offering dialysis service on PPP basis. The hospital has been attached to Bharat Ratna Atal Behari Vajpayee Medical College. There are doctors of medicine available at the medical college and if they are provided technicians, the service can be offered by the medical college. However, the work of the medical college is going on. Officials say that since the hospital is facing a shortage of space, it is not possible for the college to provide dialysis service.
“The machines , which are out of order, will start functioning in a few days. Dialysis service is being offered at other civic hospitals and this will benefit the citizens,” said Dr Sanjeev Wavre, Assistant Health Officer, PMC.

“The dialysis service in Kamla Nehru Hospital is operated on PPP basis. At present, four machines are functioning. Since the number of patients is less, the machines which are non-functional, have not been started, say those who provide PPP service,” said Dr Suraj Wani, Medical Superintendent, Kamla Nehru Hospital.

When asked how many dialysis machines were functional at Kamla Nehru Hospital, health department officials said seven machines were working. However, a visit to the hospital revealed that only four machines were working. This proves that there is no coordination between PMC’s health department, Kamla Nehru Hospital and the company providing the service on PPP basis.