'GMCH needs to practise what it preaches'

 BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Nov 8: What ails healthcare in Assam? A million dollar question, indeed. What is glaringly visible is ‘those at helm of affairs never practise what they preach’.

Patients rush to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment. They, however, do not even get medicines in emergency situation at the pharmacy of the hospital.

Speaking to The Sentinel, a GMCH official said: “The GMCH pharmacy has a chronic shortage of medicines. We can’t even get a tablet of gastric, paracetamol, painkillers etc., for emergency cases. Many patients from poor families rush to hospital, but they fail to get facilities they are supposed to get free of cost.”

Kul Barman, an attendant of a patient from lbari, said: “Shortage of medicine is not the only problem of GMCH. It’s very easy to say that the Health Department will provide all facilities. They fail to do so. To officers in the department will never come to know what is happening around as they have money to go to private hospitals. Where’ll the commoners go? In odd hours experienced doctors are not on duty.” Anta Kumar, the father of a patient, said: “I’ve come here since I can’t pay high fees in private hospitals. GMCH is the only ray of hope for us. My son is suffering from fever for two days. However, after coming here I’ve realize the pathetic plight here."