Thursday, 06 MARCH 2025 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The recent theft of eight compressors from freezers of the mortuary has deepened concerns regarding security at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC).
After four freezers in the mortuary ceased functioning on February 22, the mortuary in-charge informed the medical superintendent two days after. Meanwhile, the remaining four freezers continued to operate, but by March 1 these too stopped working, leaving the mortuary non-functional. An air-conditioning technician was then called to fix the problem and while working on them he discovered that eight compressors were missing from the unit. Further, two compressors from another ward were also found missing.
This theft is all the more worrisome in view of the previous theft that occurred at the MRI facility a few months ago. Several people working in the State-run medical facility expressed deep concerns. They said that the hospital authority must be more serious about security, given the presence of several expensive pieces of equipment such as colour doppler machines, MRIs, ultrasounds and air- conditioners.
Queried over the theft, the chief medical superintendent at the hospital Dr R S Bisht said that the mortuary comprises two buildings separated by a narrow lane. “This gap allowed the thief to access the compressors located outside the main premises. The thief is unidentifiable as this area is outside CCTV surveillance,” he said.
In the aftermath of the theft, things have started moving. The administration has decided to relocate the compressors currently situated at the back of the buildings of each department to the front. Further, every compressor will be fitted with an iron shield for added security. The administration has also decided to install CCTV cameras in areas where these are currently absent.
Bisht also informed that a letter has been sent to the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Dehradun requesting action regarding the recent theft cases. The administration urged the SSP to ensure surveillance across the hospital campus to prevent further theft, he said.
