Free Lunch for Patients' Attendants at OGH
Attendants of poor patients at Osmania Government Hospital, who often find it difficult to get food either for lack of money or time, can now look forward to having piping hot and quality food inside the hospital.
In a joint initiative, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Private Limited (MEIL) and Hare Krishna Movement (HKM -Hyderabad) launched ‘Bhojanaamrita’ at the Osmania Hospital on Saturday under which free lunch will be offered to the attendants on the hospital premises.
The programme aims to address the food needs of attendants of poor patients at OGH and other hospitals.
“We have to spend Rs 35 to Rs 40 per plate meals, as only patients will be provided food as per hospital rules,’’ says Sagar, a driver from Miryalguda in Nalgonda district.
Sagar had admitted his daughter, suffering from some nerve related health aliment at Osmania hospital a fortnight ago. He sees Bhojanamrita scheme as a boon. ‘’It is a good programme and the food served was also good and filling’’ he said.
“Now, we don’t have to go outside for food as we will be getting a piping hot food of good quality in the hospital itself,’’ said Prabhakar of Khammam, who is attending on his wife K Leelamma admitted to OGH a week ago for a surgery. Pushpa of Nizambad, attending her son-in-law undergoing treatment says that now they no longer have to be worried about being away for long period from the patients, as the food is available on the hospital premises, that too free of cost. Satemma also from Nizambad, says they no longer have to bother their relatives for supplying food.
Inaugurating the programme, High Court judge justice Chandraiah heaped praises on MEIL and HKM for the initiative.
GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar assured his full cooperation and even offered to construct a building for attendants of the patients, if place was available.
“We often find the poor people sleeping on the pavements outside hospitals and near bus stands. GHMC would set up night shelters for such people soon. I would like to have HKM provide food and the cost would be borne by the GHMC,’’ he said.
HKM-Hyderabad president Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa said that the scheme is operational at Indo-American Cancer Hospital, Niloufer Hospital, District Government Hospital, Mahabubnagar, District Government Hospital, Nizamabad and Bodhan, Maternity Hospital, Sultan Bazar, and Mahaveer Hospital. The scheme in OGH which will cover 1,000 attendants.
MEIL chairman PP Reddy, director Ravi Reddy, OGH superintendent Shivarami Reddy and others were present.