The second phase work on the District Ayurveda Hospital at Kacherypady is moving at a snail’s pace causing hardships to patients.
The work on three floors (over 8,948 sq metres) began in 2012 and was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan. Initially, it was announced that the work would be completed by March 2014.
Presently, the hospital is functioning within a limited space on the first two floors. “Though there are over 50 beds, we can’t admit more than 35 patients. Due to the lack of facilities, patients can be seen lying even on the corridors. But, during rainy seasons even this is a problem,” said Bhanumathi, a nurse in the hospital.
Patients have many woes to share. “I have been admitted to the hospital for the past one month. Ever since, I have been lying on the veranda. Bystanders are not allowed here due to lack of space. We have to take care of ourselves,” says Bindhu, a patient.
Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dr Sasikumar S said hospital’s further development is possible only after the work gets completed. “Only then can we increase the bed strength to 200. Now, not just the patients, even the staff are facing the heat,” he said.
It is the district panchayat which is vested with the responsibility of the construction work. As per plan, paywards will be constructed for men and women besides conference hall and guest rooms.
“The construction was planned in three phases with an estimate of `1 crore. Work lags only because of the negligence on the part of the contractor. We are planning to replace the contractor if he didn’t speed up the work,” said district panchayat standing committee chairman K K Soman.Executive engineer of the project Jessy alleged that the work was delayed because of the issues related with the contractor. “He hasnt responding to us yet,” she said.Meanwhile, contractor Shafeeq said that it is the Kochi Metro Project that is delaying the work.
But, there are allegations that the same contrator is carrying out the construction of the building opposite to the hospital and the work is progressing smoothly.