Reshma Ravishanker,
Bangalore: K C General Hospital in Malleswaram has failed to complete the infrastructure upgrading work that was expected to be done in a period of six months for availing the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers accreditation.
It was last year that the hospital had applied for the accreditation. Following the pre-assesment done in December last, the hospital sought six months’ time to incorporate various changes that the NABH (a constituent board of Quality Council of India that sets standards) had mandated to avail the certificate.
However, the work is yet to be completed. Following a pre-assesment of the hospital premises and facilities, a team of the council members from Delhi said the hospital had to have a modular operation theatre, upgrade its Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) and also have a kitchen of its own.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, sources in the hospital said that initially there were confusions with the planning aspect and there was also a delay in the release of the funds.
The hospital had requested that Rs 4.4 crore be allocated for the upgrading and for the purchase of equipment for the CSSD. “The cost has exceeded the estimate and will need at least Rs 5.3 crore for completion,” a senior doctor explained.
Among the requirements that the NABH said the hospital ought to have was a modular operation theatre. However, power supply is yet to be provided. “It has been pending for long. Just one connection needs to be done and it will be ready.
This simple thing has been kept pending for unknown reasons,” the source added.The state-run hospital has also been asked to renovate the blood bank. “The CSSD needs additional equipment. The tender for this is pending for a long time,” the source added.
Besides the pending works that are essential to get the accreditation, it is a sorry state of affairs for the physically challenged and patients at the hospital. Though a lift was installed at the hospital years ago, it remains non-functional. “There are no lift operators either. This has made access to special wards on the top floors difficult,” the source said.
The hospital, known for its Obstetrics and Gynaecology sections, has two wards, one of which remains partially utilised. “There is fungus formation on the walls. Even when the health minister visited the hospital sometime ago, this was not brought to his notice,” the source alleged.
