POOREST OF POOR REMAINED UNATTENDED FOR SIX HOURS at DDU Hospital

WELFARE ASSOCIATION G BLOCK HARI NAGAR (Regd.No.S-9571)

WZ-208. ST.NO.15, G BLOCK, HARI NAGAR, NEW DELHI-110058
TELEFAX: 25530483, 9015152976, Email: wagblockharinagar@gmail.com

July 26, 2010

The Medical Superintendent
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital URGENT PLEASE
Hari Nagar, NEW DELHI-110064

SUB: POOREST OF POOR REMAINED UNATTENDED FOR SIX HOURS

Dear Sir,

This refers to plight of a young illeterate couple who had horrifying experience in the hands of staff and doctors in Radiology Deptt. of your Hospital yesterday.

Poonam, aged 18, five month pregnant, registered with Gyne. OPD, and her husband Raju, aged 20, with unbearable pain around right kidney, registered with Surgical OPD were excellently attended to on 20th and 24th July reespectively by the doctors on duty. Whereas Poonam was advised certain blood tests and ultrasound, Raju was prescribed medicines and was asked to get an X-ray. On both the occasions, I personally accompanied them. Whereas Poona visited DDUH for blood tests the next day and for ultrasound she was asked to come on 24th. When I took Raju to Radiology Deptt., I was amazed to learn that there is not even a single X-ray film in entire DDUH including Casualty. This fact was brought to the notice of Dr. Praveena Goel, Dy. MS, who spoke to Dr. Kakkar, Head of Radiology, and asked me to meet him. Dr. Kakkar also confirmed this fact that there is no X-ray in stock anywhere in DDUH and informed me that the same will be procured the next day. However, he asked Raju to take prescribed medicines for two days and come for X-ray on 24th July.

THE HORROR STODY BEGINS NOW. Yesterday, this poorest of poor young couple, not being able to afford two square meals, walked a distance of over 5 km from Nangli Zalib Village and reached DDUH around 8.00 EMPTY STOMACH. As both were asked to come on 24th, Saturday, they contacted the dealing hands at the respective counters when the staff opened the windows. While Poonam, despite reaching on time, was not attended till 1.30 PM and later was asked to deposit Rs.50 for ultrasound, Raju went on moving from one room to another in entire X-ray deptt. but no-one listened to him. The doctor in-charge and the staff, every one spoke so rudely that this poor boy also could not bear the trauma for five hours. When a lady staff member asked Rs.50, Poonam showed her inability to pay this amount as the couple had no money.

After patiently waiting for their turn for X-ray and Ultrasound between 9.00 am and 2.00 pm, when no one in entire Radiology Deptt. helped them out, and it became unbearable for both to remain there for want of food, they left the Hospital and reached my home. My wife was in tears when the entire episode was narrated to her. IS THIS THE WAY, POOREST OF POOR PATIENTS ARE DEALT WITH AT DDUH? This is something very serious and cannot be expected from this Govt. Hospital. MS is requested to kindly have this grievance of a young couple, as per facts given above, investigated and take urgent remedial measures so that Poona and Raju are helped and treated nicely at DDUH.

Thanking you,
Yours truly,
TPS OBEROI
V ice-President

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