Survey shows services at BMC hospitals poor

Lack of infrastructure,medicines and doctors render BMC hospitals ineffective,a survey has found. In a meeting on Thursday to mark World Health Day,the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan,which conducted the survey,said that of 500 people surveyed in the city,the majority said facilities were not available at BMC hospitals.

“In the survey,people said facilities such as CT scan were not functional at hospitals and patients are routinely referred to private centres. They have to go to private hospitals for major ailments involving kidney and liver,” said Kamayani Bali Mahabal of the Abhiyan. The survey found that family health expenditure had climbed almost 10 times in last few years.

“Treatment at municipal hospitals is poor,” said Ashok Jha from Dahisar at the meet. “For a sonography,we wait for over 2 months for appointment. We are not able to go through with our treatment in the meantime and end up spending a lot on medicine. Private hospitals charge more but services are better.”

“Healthcare is our right and government should ensure it,” sadi Varsha Chorghe,a patient. The Abhiyan is opposing the 30 per cent hike in user fee announced by the government. Filling up vacant posts,upgrading BMC hospitals,affordable medicine,passage of the Bombay Nursing Homes Act are other demands.