Delhi: Next time you go to the Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), make sure you carry a pair of gloves with you. The centrally-located premier medical institute, which caters to hundreds of people on a daily basis, is running short of basic medical equipment, including gloves.
According to institute doctors, there is an acute shortage of many essential things such as Betadine, antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide and gloves. Though all departments are battling the same problem, the department of Gynaecology is the worst, where doctors are asking patients to get the gloves themselves.
"We have been facing this problem for the last many months. Sometimes, even during the surgeries, there is only one pair of gloves and two doctors in the theatre. So, we are now asking the patients to bring the gloves," said a senior gynaecologist.
The doctors have sent written complaints about this issue to higher authorities many times, but no action has been taken as yet. There are also other problems ailing the institute, such as poor security, shortage of water and poor condition of doctors' duty room. The doctors have also sent a letter to the hospital director in this regard. MiD DAY has a copy of all the letters.
"We have been complaining about all these issues to the director and other higher officials, but no action has been taken," said Dr Nitin Rajasingh, President, Resident Doctors Association (RDA), LHMC.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) faced the same problem last year. "Last year, AIIMS used to send patients to buy gloves due to shortage. The government should look at the health budget seriously," said a doctor from AIIMS.
"Ideally, gloves should not be re-used for any purpose. In spite of sterilization, small pores that cannot be seen through the naked eye are left unclean. This can cause infection to both the patient and doctors. Also, in case of Hepatitis B and HIV, all precautions must be taken. Though it is not a problem if patients are asked to bring a pair with them, but the quality of gloves should be high and it is better that the hospital provides them itself," said Dr Subash Aggarwal, head of Surgery department, Balaji Action Hospital.
"I cannot answer any query at any hour of the day. The better way is to call up my office and then, you might get an answer. Right now, I will not comment on anything," said Dr Atul Murari, director, LHMC.
According to institute doctors, there is an acute shortage of many essential things such as Betadine, antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide and gloves. Though all departments are battling the same problem, the department of Gynaecology is the worst, where doctors are asking patients to get the gloves themselves.
"We have been facing this problem for the last many months. Sometimes, even during the surgeries, there is only one pair of gloves and two doctors in the theatre. So, we are now asking the patients to bring the gloves," said a senior gynaecologist.
The doctors have sent written complaints about this issue to higher authorities many times, but no action has been taken as yet. There are also other problems ailing the institute, such as poor security, shortage of water and poor condition of doctors' duty room. The doctors have also sent a letter to the hospital director in this regard. MiD DAY has a copy of all the letters.
"We have been complaining about all these issues to the director and other higher officials, but no action has been taken," said Dr Nitin Rajasingh, President, Resident Doctors Association (RDA), LHMC.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) faced the same problem last year. "Last year, AIIMS used to send patients to buy gloves due to shortage. The government should look at the health budget seriously," said a doctor from AIIMS.
"Ideally, gloves should not be re-used for any purpose. In spite of sterilization, small pores that cannot be seen through the naked eye are left unclean. This can cause infection to both the patient and doctors. Also, in case of Hepatitis B and HIV, all precautions must be taken. Though it is not a problem if patients are asked to bring a pair with them, but the quality of gloves should be high and it is better that the hospital provides them itself," said Dr Subash Aggarwal, head of Surgery department, Balaji Action Hospital.
"I cannot answer any query at any hour of the day. The better way is to call up my office and then, you might get an answer. Right now, I will not comment on anything," said Dr Atul Murari, director, LHMC.
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