New Delhi: Delhi’s VVIP Hospital — Ram Manohar Lohia — needs intensive care and urgently. Admitted on bed number 23 on the second floor of the emergency building, Parveena has sustained multiple injuries on her face and right hand. She was admitted to the hospital four days back after she was diagnosed with typhoid.
The hospital authorities blame the CPWD for failing to carry out maintenance work. RML’s location in the heart of Lutyen’s Delhi makes it the designated hospital for VVIPs in the capital. It is widely perceived to be better maintained than other hospitals, which is why Saturday’s accident becomes even more shocking.
When TOI visited the emergency ward 10 hours after the incident, which occurred at 7.30 am, the CPWD had patched up the ceiling. But the entire second floor was in a dilapidated condition and pockmarked with cement patches. Nurses and doctors said such incidents have happened before and the CPWD merely fixes the damage each time.
"It was around 7.30 in the morning. I was lying on my bed, as I was feeling very weak. Suddenly something hit me hard on my face and right side of my body. For a few seconds I didn’t realise what had happened," said a visibly shaken Parveena.
"Parveena was rushed to the resuscitation room, as she became unconscious. We got her CT-Scan done and thankfully there is no head injury. There is soft tissue damage on her face that is why her right cheek is swollen," said a doctor.
"The second floor of the emergency is in a bad shape. The ceiling is in a very bad shape. Every time we inform the engineering department, they come and repair the defect," said a nurse.
Medical Superintendent Dr NK Chaturvedi, who is out of station, was not available for comments despite repeated attempts. But a senior doctor in the administration said, "The building is very old and requires regular maintenance. We have told CPWD several times to do the necessary repair work, but they have been just sit on our request."
When TOI contacted CPWD’s assistant engineer with the hospital, NK Sharma, he said, "This is none of your business."
First Published: Sunday, November 15, 2009, 10:11