MP stresses accountability, patient care reforms at KGH
Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat on Tuesday called for stronger accountability, supervision, and patient guidance systems at King George Hospital and other government hospitals to improve healthcare delivery.
Addressing a meeting of the KGH Development Committee at Andhra Medical College along with Collector M Abhishikth Kishore, the MP said patients were facing inconvenience due to delays in treatment and diagnostic services arising from inadequate staff availability.
Mr. Sribharat directed officials to ensure there were no delays in MRI scans, CT scans, and laboratory tests. Referring to complaints received over hospital services, he said a shortage of beds in some departments had forced two patients to share a single bed, while beds remained vacant in certain other sections.
The MP stressed the need to improve facilities in emergency wards, resolve air-conditioning issues, and strengthen maintenance of toilets, stretchers, and parking areas.
Expressing concern over the difficulties faced by illiterate patients in navigating the hospital system due to the lack of proper guidance and information, Mr. Sribharat said patients should not be compelled to purchase medicines and materials from outside when these were meant to be supplied free of cost.
Reacting strongly to allegations of illegal collections, he warned that demands for money for services such as shifting bodies and conducting postmortems would not be tolerated.
Mr. Sribharat said encouraging doctors and staff providing exemplary services, while taking strict action against those acting irresponsibly, would help foster a better work culture in government hospitals.
Mr. Kishore said eight “May I Help You” desks had been set up on the hospital premises to guide patients. Nursing students, security personnel, and sanitation staff had been deployed at outpatient sections, laboratories, and other key locations as part of the support system, he added.
The Collector instructed officials to strengthen the patient follow-up mechanism and said steps would be taken to utilise technology to improve hospital services.
Hospital Superintendent Dr. I. Vani said complaint boxes and toll-free numbers had been made available for patients and that immediate action was being taken on grievances. She said disciplinary action, including suspension and termination, had been initiated against some outsourcing staff, while inquiries were also being conducted into complaints against employees.
Vamsikrishna Srinivas, Seetham Raju Sudhakar, department heads, officials, and doctors attended the meeting.