Medical problems, it seems, comprise only part of the job description for doctors at SSG. They also have to deal with cured patients reluctant to leave the hospital, apparently enticed by the prospect of free meals and a roof over their heads.

``Since this is a government hospital, scores of economically backward patients come here, and are tempted by the free meals and stay to stay on. Some think they have a right to stay on even after they've been declared fit'', said the head of a department. ``At times, we have to discharge them forcibly.'' Some patients, though, have definite psychological reasons for their overstay. ``If I'm not satisfied with the treatment, why should I move out? They (the doctors) have to convince me I'm all right'', said Bhikhabhai, after being forced out of hospital.

When it was pointed out that the doctors had given him a clean bill of health, he retorted, ``That is what they think. I don't think I'm fit.''Complained Kantibhai Parmar, another patient declared fit for discharge: ``It's just that they want to do away with us. If we're still experiencing some discomfort, why should we be asked to move out?''

If patients allege that doctors rush through the treatment, the medical maternity believes otherwise. ``Sociological reasons explain why they want to extend their stay. Out there, they'll have to work once again for their two meals a day. Here it's free, and that is what they don't want to give up'', claimed a doctor in the radiology department.

The hospital management, while admitting reluctant patients were a reality, said they were helpless when it comes to solving the problem. ``Since it's a government hospital, we can't throw them out'', said Superintendent Kamal Pathak.

The pinch is felt the most when there's a rush of in-house patients. If even some of the 1,243 beds in the hospital are occupied by people who shouldn't be there, it becomes difficult to accommodate the needy patients, said doctors. ``If cured patients leave willingly, there would be more place for new patients'', pointed out a senior doctor.

The problem of overstaying patients is aggravated by their family members, who, too, stay on. ``They occupy space in the wards, adding to the confusion'', said a doctor in the Surgery department.