“The preparation by those at the helm of affairs could be well culminated by the fact that laboratory of own department of the principal is not functioning, what to expect for other departments”
Nitesh Sangral
Amid the rising mortality rate induced by Corona Virus in Jammu, the ‘apathetic’ approach of the concerned authority could be gauged from the fact that the Principal—Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H) Jammu has ‘failed’ to make functional her own Department’s Laboratory at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital, resulting in delay of reports, as the samples of the patients are sent to the GMC&H Jammu for testing.
Pertinently, a major fire had broken out in the Microbiology Laboratory of SMGS Hospital on April 14, 2020, and medical equipment, Air Conditioners, Furniture, and other stuff of the Laboratory were gutted.
Following the incident, a Detail Project Report (DPR) was made and submitted to the then Medical Superintendent of the SMGS Hospital along with the Principal of the GMC&H Jammu for issuing required directions along with funds to commence the said work but due to the lackadaisical approach of the concerned authority the labs are still kept nonfunctional.
Work details copies, which are in the possession of The Typewriter states that as the project details with the title ‘Technical Report’ for the Improvement/ up-gradation of the electric system at Microbiology/ Biochemistry and Pathology Laboratories at SMGS Hospital Jammu had been submitted by executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Electric Division.
In the report, it is also mentioned that installing LED Tubes, 3 Phase PowerPoint, Single Phase PowerPoints, Wiring Sub main Circuit/ Lt Panel LED Tubes/ Ceiling Fans at the cost of Rs 6.73 lacs. The said work was supposed to be completed within 25 days, if funds would have been released by the authorities.
“The preparation by those at the helm of affairs could be well culminated by the fact that laboratory of own department of the principal is not functioning, what to expect for other departments,” said an official, wishing anonymity, alleging that the issue was deliberately kept in cold storage, despite the foreseen second wave of this deadly pandemic.
Official also stated that intermittent reminders were also given to the Principal of the GMC&H Jammu to look into the matter, but no effort was made to make it functional.
“Since the fire incident took place, all the routine and emergency tests have been sent to the Laboratory of GMC&H Jammu for testing, due to which patients are not getting their emergency investigation reports on time,” he said and added that the higher administration of the GMC&H Jammu is sleeping as there are some doctors, who are allegedly working day night to tarnish the image of the hospital by not letting others to fix the issues.
The ‘improper’ work culture of the concerned authority has been exposed by the fact that instead of fixing issues timely, the temporary arrangements have been made.
When contacted Medical Superintendent, SMGS Hospital Dr Dara Singh said that a reminder has been sent to the Principal of the GMC&H Jammu and its associated hospitals for addressing the issue as soon as possible. It is expected that necessary directions will be passed soon.
When tried to contact Principal, Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu, Dr. Shashi Sudan, instead of responding to the query, she hung up the call by saying was in a meeting.
