Thursday, 08 August 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) administration’s plan to set up a geriatric centre in its premises hit a roadblock due to space constraints. Notably, the hospital administration had proposed to establish this centre to facilitate enhanced accessibility of healthcare services for senior citizens a few years ago. But things remain bogged in space crunch stalemate till date.
Informing this, the deputy medical superintendent at GDMC, Dr Dhananjay Dobhal said that the administration had initially planned to set up the geriatric centre within the hospital premises, specifically in the OPD building. “Though the centre is yet to start operation, let me affirm that the plan has not been discarded yet,” he said, adding that the hospital administration is still trying sincerely to tide over the space-hindrance for the centre. “We are mulling submitting a fresh proposal to the competent authorities on this matter,” he said.
Asked to speak about the basic features of a geriatric centre, he said, ‘The geriatric centre is primarily designed for senior citizens who are treated here by specialised doctors. We have been tirelessly trying to establish such a centre in the healthcare facility here since the number of elderly people- left behind by their children to fend for themselves- is surging in Doon. This is why we are so eager to set up the centre to cater to the medical needs of these helpless senior citizens. When the centre comes up it will provide not just special medical attention but emotional support to them,” he added.
The limited space dogging the government-run medical facility which thousands of patients throng daily has remained a persistent issue. Recently, many patients raised concerns about the limited parking spaces that forced them to park outside the hospital premises.
Asked to comment on this matter, Dr Dobhal had earlier said that despite the hospital’s elevation from a district hospital to a medical college, the parking spaces have not been expanded. “Besides, many individuals visiting nearby areas use the hospital parking lot. We are addressing the parking concerns by adding two basement parking levels in the new building while shifting away the gynaecology block,” he stated.
