Unified OPD at SCB Falls Far Short of Patient-friendly Goal
CUTTACK:Even as Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak is set to inaugurate a slew of facilities at SCB Medical College and Hospital, here, including the modular operation theatre set-up at Urology department and the new superspeciality OPD block on Wednesday, the latter has raised serious questions.
The Superspeciality OPDs are being shifted to the erstwhile ENT Department as part of the professed move to put up a unified out-patient facility along with General OPD. All fine, but the location and set up of the new wing is grossly unconducive from all aspects of patientcare.
The superspeciality OPD is located on the first floor of the general OPD block, which will pose serious problems for the patients to access the clinics. The block will run OPD clinics of as many as 10 superspeciality departments including the most crowded ones like neurology, nephrology, endocrinology, neursurgery and haematology, etc.
The immediate fallout of such an ill-conceived step would be acute congestion at the entry point to the hospital. The general OPD wing located at the entrance gate is already hard-pressed with the vehicular inflow as it sees more than 1500 patient attendance everyday. Even the emergencies, which average more than 300 a day, are directed to the OPD during the day hours.
The addition of superspecialities will up the number by at least another 1000 on any given day. This will seriously aggravate the problem as a majority of the patients are referred from peripheral hospitals or are brought in serious conditions.
“Only the neurology OPD sees more than 400 patients during its OPD day as does the nephrology department. This means that more than 100 vehicles will have to be accommodated and the new block does not even have a proper approach way, let alone parking space. Did the authorities think of vehicular pressure and its impact while deciding to shift,” a senior doctor rued.
Further, only one lift has been installed to cater to the multitude of patients. They are mostly in serious condition and immobile. They will now be forced to climb the long stairs to get to the clinics, thanks to the decision of the authorities.
“The existing Superspeciality wing was convenient from all aspects, right from its location to the huge space for parking as well as patient and attendants waiting area. The authorities chose to shift it claiming to not only unify the OPD services but also provide dedicated facility for every department. This has not been done as the same sharing of rooms is to continue with the present two-day-a-week system. What is the wisdom behind the move that will surely affect the patients,” a doctor complained.