Say doctors of Lady Harding Medical College as the hospital is short of basic equipment. They are reusing gloves and in case of serious ailments, asking patients to bring them
Say doctors of Lady Harding Medical College as the hospital is short of basic equipment. They are reusing gloves and in case of serious ailments, asking patients to bring them
Next time you go to Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), make sure you carry a pair of gloves with you. The centrally-located premier medical institute, which caters to hundreds of people on a daily basis, is running short of many basic medical equipment, including gloves. 
Not in the best of health: Scene inside the premises of Lady Hardinge
Medical College. file pic
According to institute doctors, there is an acute shortage of many essential things such as Betadine, antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide and gloves. Though all departments are battling the same problem, the department of Gynaecology is the worst, where the doctors are asking patients to get the gloves themselves.
"We have been facing this problem for the last many months. Sometimes, even during the surgeries, there is only one pair of gloves and two doctors in the theatre. So, we are now asking the patients to bring the gloves," said one of the senior gynaecologist the condition of anonymity.
In need of treatment: Lady Hardinge Medical College and Sucheta
Kriplani Hospital in New Delhi on Monday. PIC/Imtiyaz Khan
The doctors have sent written complaints about this issue to higher authorities many times, but no action has been taken as yet. Then there are other problems ailing the institute, such as poor security, shortage of water and poor condition of doctors' duty room. The doctors have sent a letter to the director in these regards too. MiD DAY has a copy of all the letters.
Representative pic
"We have been complaining about all these issues to the director and other higher officials, but no action has been taken," said Dr Nitin Rajasingh, president, Resident Doctors Association (RDA), LHMC. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) faced the same problems last year.u00a0 "Last year, AIIMS used to send patients to buy gloves due to the shortage. The government should look at the health budget seriously," said one of the doctors from AIIMS, requesting anonymity.
"Ideally, gloves should not be re-used for any purpose. In spite of sterilization, small pores that cannot be seen through naked eyes are left unclean. This can cause infection to both the patient and doctors. Also, in cases of Hepatitis B and HIV, all precautions must be taken. Though it is not a problem if patients are asked to bring a pair with them, but the quality of gloves should be high and it is better that the hospital provides them itself," said Dr Subash Aggarwal, head of Surgery department, Balaji Action Hospital.
The Other Side
"I cannot answer any query at any hour of the day. The better way is to call up my office and then, you might get an answer. Right now, I will not comment on anything," said Dr Atul Murari, director, LHMC.
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