The series of infant deaths at SVR Ruia hospital here appear to be not enough to move the government to take steps to improve the children’s wing.
Though the government had recently sanctioned Rs 9.05 cr, including Rs 5 cr from TTD Pranadana scheme, for the development of Ruia and government maternity hospital here, a look at the proposed additional facilities reveals that only the installation of a liquid oxygen plant at a cost of Rs 40 lakh under the Pranadana scheme is meant of the children’s hospital.
The remaining amount will be spent for other facilities at the two hospitals.
A sum of Rs 4.05 cr will be spent solely for infrastructure development, including construction of a new out-patient block, a water sump, and setting up of a medical records section at the maternity hospital.
The remaining amount sanctioned under Pranadanama scheme is meant for purchasing MRI, digital X-ray and other equipment needed for a cancer unit in the Ruia hospital and also a liquid oxygen plant for the joint use of maternity and Ruia hospitals.
Despite the promise of chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, of providing funds to equip the Ruia children’s hospital fully, made after many infant deaths at the hospital, now appear to be meant only to silence the opposition and the media.
TDP MLA G Mudhukrishnama Naidu, addressing a press conference here on Thursday, criticised the chief minister for not releasing any funds for the children’s hospital here while a liberal grant was given to MGM hospital at Warangal.
“Though the chief minister belongs to the district, he failed to do anything concrete for improving the Ruia children’s hospital.
The medical and health minister visited the MGM hospital personally and got all help from the government to improve the hospital,” he said.
Meanwhile, hospital superintendent J Veeraswamy said several measures had been taken to improve the facilities, including more staff, at the children’s hospital to cope with growing number of infants being admitted there.
He said that four pediatricians and 27 staff nurses working in other hospitals in the district have been deputed to serve at the children’s hospital.
Proposals had also been sent to the government.