BENGALURU: Every day at 7 am, auto driver Manoj goes to the Institute of Nephro Urology in Victoria Hospital seeking dialysis for his kidney ailment.
He has to undergo the procedure at least twice a week to survive, but for the last five days, he has had to return disappointed, without getting any treatment.
“I have been waiting for five days for a bed to be available. But every day they say there is no bed free,” he said. “I may have to go to a private hospital tomorrow if this continues. My condition is becoming worse with every passing day,” he said.
The government-run institute is one the leading nephro urology centres in the city with patients coming from nearby taluks too.
On Monday, patients staged a protest outside the hospital alleging that no dialysis had been conducted for many days due to repair works on a water pipeline.
“Yesterday we had to raise our voices against the hospital’s irresponsible behaviour. Dialysis is a crucial procedure. How do they think patients will survive if they don’t get the required treatment?” said Ruksana who was with her sister at the hospital.
The ratio of number of beds to patients seems shocking. “There are 18 beds reserved for dialysis. In a day 56 procedures can be conducted. The number of patients that visit the hospital every day is more than 100,” said a hospital employee on condition of anonymity.
“First preference for dialysis is given to in-patients, organ donation patients and emergency patients,” he said. When asked why there was a delay in patients getting treatment, he explained, “Every patient has to undergo dialysis twice a week. There are days when the number of inpatients prescribed dialysis is very high and this leads to no outpatients receiving dialysis.”
Most of the patients visiting the hospital are poor and cannot afford treatment in private hospitals. “Most private hospitals charge at least `1,500 to `2,000 for one sitting. Here the cost is only `500. In addition to that, there are medicines and travelling expenses and we are left with only this option,” said Gowramma, who was accompanying her husband for treatment.
“He was supposed to get dialysis yesterday but they sent us back saying no beds were available. Today they are saying the same,” she said.
Many patients also complain that doctors are not sympathetic. “Somebody told us that if we wanted quick treatment we should pay some money to certain people and that will get us immediate attention. Others say we should try to make some connection with the higher authorities,” said Vikas, who had brought his sister for treatment.
“She has been diagnosed with kidney stone and we rushed her to the hospital. The doctors made her sleep on the hard metal chairs saying that there are no free beds. After a few hours when I went to inquire, I was told that the doctors were busy attending a farewell party and couldn’t tend to patients. What kind of behaviour is this?” he asked.
Medical Superintendent Keshavamurthy could not be reached on phone for comments despite repeated attempts.
(Names changed to protect privacy)