KOZHIKODE: The funds cut by the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has left the development dreams of the Women and Children Hospital at Kottaparamba at stake. In a major setback to the development of the first government hospital accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Hospital and Healthcare Providers (NABH), the amount of Rs 2.5 crore allocated for the renovation of the labour ward here last year has been slashed to Rs one crore. Sources with the hospital on Wednesday told City Express that the official confirmation about the cut reached the hospital authorities last week.
With the funds cut, the proposed renovation, which is presently caught in inordinate delay, will be affected further. “The process meant to renovate the ward is moving at a snail’s pace owing to the apathy of PWD, which was entrusted with the works. After we continuously raised the demand, the PWD drafted a plan. As the funds have been slashed, the PWD has to revise the plan now, bringing more delay to the renovation works,” a hospital official said.
Meanwhile, according to the official, the hospital is in dire need of renovation and more advanced equipment. As per the figures with the hospital, the number of delivery cases is 300 to 350 per month. “Last month, we attended around 370 delivery cases,” said the hospital official.
These cases are being dealt with at a time when the hospital is gripped with space shortage and lack of modern equipment.
The patients are flocking to the hospital as treatment and medicines are available free of cost as part of the new health policy of State Government. “A comprehensive, much-essential facelift is awaited. The funds slash is going to hit the proposed comprehensive project, meant to develop the present labour wing to better standards with more space and equipment. The cut has compelled us to reduce the number of equipment and further reduce the area of development,” the official added.
Meanwhile, there is no step in sight from the part of the PWD to conduct a comprehensive survey in order to start the construction works of the new block even after repeated pleas from various corners. The hospital official alleged that the PWD officials were yet to visit the hospital to assess the space availability and conduct a survey for the purpose.
Attending a function held at the hospital to mark the official announcement of the NABH accreditation on February 27, 2014, Minister for Social Justice M K Muneer had offered a financial assistance of Rs. 2.5 crore to erect a new building, while the Minister for Health had said the department would bear the other expenses.