Almora. Demanding improvement in the deteriorating health services at Almora Medical College, public representatives and members of the Red Cross Society, Almora, gheraoed (surrounded) the Principal on Saturday. During this protest, several serious issues related to health facilities were raised, along with the demand for immediate corrective action.
Former State Minister Bittu Karnatak said that despite the state government providing crores of rupees to the medical college and making constant efforts to strengthen healthcare services, administrative negligence has resulted in poor conditions. He added that continuous complaints against the administration prompted direct questioning of the Principal in public interest.
He strongly condemned the undue delay in starting the Cath Lab and dialysis services. Karnatak said that although the state government has already approved the Cath Lab for heart patients, the medical college administration’s careless attitude has delayed its operation. Similarly, no official paperwork has yet been done for initiating dialysis services, causing serious inconvenience to kidney patients.
Karnatak further alleged that during surgeries of pregnant women, doctors demand four units of blood unnecessarily, which puts extra mental and financial burden on the patient’s family. Expressing concern over poorly managed ambulance services, he demanded the procurement of a cardio ambulance for emergency situations.
During the discussion, Red Cross Society’s State Vice President Manoj Sanwal demanded that doctors should behave properly with patients and, if required, a monthly discipline session must be conducted for medical staff. He also insisted that at least four wheelchairs must be placed immediately in the emergency ward of the Base Hospital, to which the Principal agreed and assured quick action.
Positive Assurances Received
Responding to the issues raised, Principal Dr. C.P. Bhaisora assured that the Cath Lab will be functional within four months, which will save heart patients from traveling to other cities for stent procedures. He also gave a positive assurance on arranging a cardio ambulance and starting dialysis services soon.
Karnatak firmly stated that the negligence of the medical college administration is tarnishing the image of the government, which will not be tolerated. He warned that if patients continue to suffer due to administrative indifference, a stronger agitation will be launched.
Leaders and Office Bearers Who Participated
The delegation included Bittu Karnatak, Manoj Sanwal (State Vice President, Red Cross), Harish Kanwal, Bhagwat Arya (Block Committee Member), Paru Upreti (Gram Pradhan), Councilor Amit Sah, Abhishek Joshi, Arjun Bisht, Kailash Gururani, Bhupendra Singh Bisht (Representative, Senior Block Chief), Aashish Verma, Mantu Bhandari, Reeta Durgapal, Pushpa Sati, Asha Karnatak, Harish Bisht, Lalit Janoti, Hayat Singh Bisht, Devendra Karnatak, Hem Joshi, Dinesh Kumar, Gram Pradhan Vinod Joshi, Abhishek Tiwari, Prakash Mehta and many others.
Principal Dr. C.P. Bhaisora and Medical Superintendent Amit Kumar were also present during the dialogue.
