Security lapses risk patient safety at GMCH

Incomplete boundary wall, lack of CCTVs and adequate guards posing risks to patients at night

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, June 22: Blatant security lapses continue to jeopardize the safety of patients and their attendants at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, a systemic problem that has gone uddressed for years.

The problem has grown even more serious in recent months, with the stealing of a baby from the hospital yesterday highlighting the risks faced by patients and attendants.

A half-constructed boundary wall, lack of CCTVs, idequate security personnel at night time and absence of proper guidelines have plagued the GMCH security apparatus, so much so that patients say they fear to stay in the hospital at night.

“Just come and see this hospital at night. You will not get a single security man. It becomes deserted and anyone can come and go,” said a patient. The hospital has even failed to secure its own boundary.

“Due to the existence of pharmacies and food stalls, we have not constructed a full wall on that side for the benefit of the people who might need medicines at night. The pharmacies are not in GMCH land,” says GMCH superintendent Ramen Talukdar.

However, with these pharmacies and food-stalls situated contiguous to the hospital campus, that particular stretch of the boundary offers an open passage to dangerous elements.

Many feel that a full wall could have been constructed to secure the entire GHCH boundary and a separate passage made for giving access to the medicine shops, instead of keeping the whole stretch open.

The gates behind the hospital are also not secure and there is free movement of people. The hospital authorities, however, claimed that all gates are closed at 12 at midnight.

Attendants told this newspaper that there is a racket in the hospital which helps visitors in locating patients and charges Rs 100 for the work.

The gynecology department from where a three-day new borne was stolen does not have CCTVs.

“Though this is a gynecology ward, you will find all kinds of patients. Males are restricted from entering the ward, but there is no one to enforce the norm. Anybody can come and go,” said a patient, frustrated at the lax attitude of the hospital staff.