PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Gynaecology department of Deen Dayal Upadhyay district hospital has experienced a significant increase in patient footfall following recent changes in referral procedures. This surge has prompted the hospital administration to expand the number of beds in the gynecology ward, the hospital’s Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) Dr Manu Jain said.
The Health department has recently introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at minimising unnecessary referrals from government hospitals. Earlier, Health secretary R Rajesh Kumar had stated that patients will no longer be transferred from district and sub-district hospitals to medical college hospitals and larger facilities unless there is a valid medical reason. In response, the hospital administration has revised its internal referral process to reduce and decline unnecessary cases.
Jain said that as a result of these changes, the number of pregnant women visiting the Gynaecology department has risen. Patients are now aware that cases are not being referred unnecessarily to other centres, allowing them to receive timely treatment. In July, there were 63 Caesarean-section (C- section) deliveries at the district hospital. This number increased to 97 in August and, although September is not yet complete, there have already been at least 84 C-section deliveries recorded.
Given the rise in patient numbers, the hospital has faced challenges with bed availability. The Gynaecology department initially had 30 beds, but this number has now increased to 40. The additional beds were repurposed from the dengue isolation ward, which has been reduced to five beds. It is anticipated that the demand for beds will continue to grow and adjustments will be made accordingly. Further, doctors have been instructed to remain vigilant at all times, he said.
Jain added that in addition to these changes, the facilities at the Emergency department have also been strengthened. A police outpost has been established for enhanced safety and security in the emergency department.
