Barwani divisional commissioner, collector make surprise inspection of district hospital

Divisional Commissioner Bhaskar Lakshkar and Collector Jayati Singh made a surprise inspection of the district hospital in Barwani on Friday. The inspection was carried out under the Mukhyamantri Jan Vishwas Shivir.

The two officials reviewed arrangements at the OPD slip counter, general ward, trauma centre, operation theatre, ICU, dialysis centre and women's hospital. They asked patients and their relatives about treatment, medicines, food and drinking water facilities.

The commissioner asked patients whether doctors arrive on time and whether medicines are available from the hospital or have to be bought outside. He also asked whether food, water and tea and snacks are served on time. Many patients expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, while some described their problems. The commissioner directed officials to resolve these problems quickly.

He described the hospital's present arrangements as generally good, but said facilities need to be expanded in line with the number of patients. He asked the civil surgeon and health officials to pay attention to cleanliness, seating for patients, drinking water and the availability of medicines. He made it clear that patients should not be forced to buy medicines from outside under any circumstances.

The commissioner praised Collector Jayati Singh's Green Commando initiative. According to him, it is bringing the benefit of health services to people in rural areas. Whether it is adopted in other districts will depend on the will and enthusiasm of the local administration there, he said. He added that every district's geographical and social conditions differ, but the initiative can be effective in areas that need it.

Under the Green Commando initiative, health department teams are going door to door in remote tribal areas surrounded by the Satpura hills, forests and rivers. Where there are no vehicles or paved roads, officials and staff walk 4 to 5 km or travel by boat to reach villagers.

The campaign offers 13 health services, including child immunisation, check-ups for pregnant women, sickle cell anaemia screening and identification of malnutrition. More than 200 teams and more than 100 officials and staff are working on it, and the services are reaching thousands of families.

The commissioner said every patient who comes to the district hospital hopes for better treatment. Doctors and staff should therefore treat patients with sensitivity, and giving timely treatment should be their priority, he said.