CHENNAI: The State claims to have made great advances in public health, but a survey conducted at tertiary hospitals and urban primary health centres has revealed poor facilities, bribery, lack of transparency in availability of doctors, paramedical staff and medicines in capital Chennai.
The survey, Citizen’s Audit of Public Health Services, conducted by the NGO Arappor Iyakkam showed that nearly half the patients (49 per cent) paid bribes for everything from pushing stretchers to release of bodies from mortuaries at tertiary hospitals, which include two medical college hospitals, two general hospitals, two women’s and children’s hospitals and an ophthalmic hospital.
However, 69 per cent of patients surveyed in these hospitals were satisfied with the services of doctors and supporting staff. Over 50 volunteers visited the hospitals over a period of three months and conducted the study mainly from in-patients. The study is based on a questionnaire seeking information on patient satisfaction.
The findings of the study in tertiary hospitals showed that 73 per cent of the people surveyed felt that the available drinking water facilities were poor or average. Also, 51 per cent felt toilet facilities are poor or average.
The survey also showed lack of information on timeline of services and grievance redressal mechanisms. Over 45 per cent felt that they were made to wait for a long time to access treatment at hospitals.
The survey covered seven tertiary care hospitals — Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Government Royapettah Hospital, Government Maternity Hospital, Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children Hospital — and also 26 Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs).
At tertiary hospitals, 250 people were surveyed while 110 were surveyed at UPHCs. The survey at UPHCs revealed that 90 per cent felt that the place is clean, 83 per cent reported good drinking water facilities and 80 per cent reported presence of a toilet. Also, 83 per cent said the doctor had spent adequate time on consultation and counselling.
Doctors were absent in 23 per cent of the UPHCs when the volunteers visited. In many of the centres, doctors were present only for two hours. In only six per cent of the centres the doctors were present from 8 am to 3 pm, the regular duty time for these doctors. Out-patient timings were also not clearly specified anywhere. Majority of them said they go to private hospitals because UPHCs were not open in the evening.
Also, 81 per cent of patients reported that scan facilities for pregnant women and others were not available in UPHCs. So they either go to private centres or tertiary hospitals. Ninety five per cent of the UPHCs had no information boards as well.
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