PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Patients and attendants have raised concerns about the lack of heating facilities and blanket services in the Emergency wing at Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) Hospital. They stated that despite the cold conditions, heating and blankets have not been offered, thereby indirectly questioning the hospital administration’s commitment to patient comfort. The patients emphasised the need for the hospital administration to address this issue and ensure that adequate facilities are provided.
Attendant Mangal Ram informed that his father-in-law has been admitted in the hospital’s Emergency wing for the past few days. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the hospital’s services. Ram said that the ward where his father-in-law is receiving care lacks a heater to keep the patients warm at a time when the winter chill is exacerbating health issues. He claimed that they had to bring their own blanket for the patient, as the hospital administration did not provide one. He also raised concerns about the fact that doctors only check on patients during the day and do not visit at night. The hospital administration should address these issues, Ram said.
“I have also been unhappy with the service, as the heating in the emergency wing is insufficient for the patients who are admitted over there. A hospital should prioritise patient care, but in this cold weather, patients like her are suffering instead of receiving warmth from heaters,” said the patient Yashika (name changed)
Many other attendees and patients voiced similar concerns regarding the issue at hand. Emergency medical officer Dr Amit Arun said that the Emergency wing is equipped with centralised air conditioning which regulates the temperature within the ward. He said that the heating is typically set to a standard level but patients may request higher temperatures at any time by reaching out to the administration. This will prompt the necessary arrangements to be made with the appropriate personnel regarding the heating settings. Additionally, the department has already ensured that blankets are available for patients during colder weather. However, some patients prefer to use personal blankets from home rather than those provided by the hospital. Arun encouraged patients and their attendants to reach out to the emergency medical officer on duty or the emergency department in-charge if they experience any discomfort related to heating, blankets or other concerns, assuring them that their issues will be addressed promptly.
