For the attendants of patients, who are admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, the most pressing problem of shelter and accommodation could soon be resolved.
With the crying need of the people accompanying the patients from distant places to the premier medical institution of the State in mind, one organisation has come forward to establish a patient attendant shelter-cum-accommodation facility on the campus.
The organisation ‘We Care’ is all set to move the State Government with a detailed proposal on the multi-storied facility which would not only provide accommodation to the attendants, but also feature a canteen offering quality and hygienic meals at low costs as well as a convenience store for the people.
The attendants, in fact, are the worst sufferers in the hospital as they have nowhere to go for one or two nights as their relatives are admitted to the wards. A substantial chunk of the patients at the hospital belong to the poorer sections and thus their relatives cannot afford to put up in hotels and lodges in the vicinity. As a result, they are forced to take shelter on the verandahs, courtyards and even corridors of the wards and departments.
This has led to overcrowding of the wards not only creating improper environment, but also preventing extension of proper treatment to the patients.
The around 1,500-bedded SCB Medical College and Hospital sees more than 96,000 patients admitted every year, with numerous numbers coming in not only from distant districts, but also neighbouring West Bengal, Jharkhand and Chhattishgarh. As more than two persons usually accompany one patient, the situation can be well imagined.
‘We Care’ has proposed to build a three-storied facility with the ground floor to be used as a canteen-cum-cafeteria and the other two as shelters and accommodation.
The accommodation would be of dormitory nature with separate wings for men and women. There would also be a common room with basic recreational facilities like TV and other items so that they can keep themselves relaxed.
A convenience store to provide the people with items of daily use at marginal prices would also be integrated.
“This would be of immense help to the attendants as they will be close to their patients. On the other hand, it will lead to decongestion of the wards and departments. The attendants would have to pay nominal charges for their stay, which would be utilised for maintenance of the facility”, managing trustee Narayan Kumar said.
The organisation has already provided a four-cabinet mortuary facility in the hospital, which would expanded to 10 in the coming days. “We are readying a comprehensive proposal on the attendant shelter, which would be submitted to the Government soon”, Kumar said.