Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling makes surprise visit to Singtam hospital

Gangtok,July6 Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling Wednesday evening made a surprise visit to the Singtam government hospital .On receipt of public complaints, the Chief Minister undertook a surprise visit to District Hospital Singtam (DHS) on 5th of July, 2011. During the surprise inspection, CM found the condition in the Singtam Hospital highly deplorable. The dressing room, corridor and toilets were found to be littered with waste and dirt inclusive of electricity supply which was also erratic. Some technicians were found to be absent. The CM personally met the patients of the Hospital and discussed the difficulties and grievances faced by them. The CM was also informed that only 50% of the medicines were supplied by the Hospital and the remaining 50% were required to be purchased by the patients themselves admitted in the hospital. The CM inquired as to the whereabouts of the supply of free medicines from the Health and Family Welfare Department. It was also found that there were shortage of blankets, pillow covers and bed sheets in the hospital. The dressing room and operation table were found to be in a very unhygienic condition. The CM further undertook the inspection of the Hospital Kitchen and found that the prescribed diets for the patients were not being administered in the Hospital by the authorities concerned.
One Specialist, one D.M.O., one NRHM Doctor and only one Nurse were found to be on duty. The Hospital Matron was found absent and it was only after some delay that Chief Medical Officer (CMO) DHS made his presence in the Hospital. The CM expressed his dissatisfaction in the lack of management and irresponsibility made by the Hospital Authorities. The CM has given stern directions to initiate action against the irresponsible persons shortly. During the visit on the spot transfer orders were also issued to the Accounts Officer, Under Secretary, and orders were also issued for immediately providing of blankets, pillow covers and directions were issued to improve the hygiene and sanitation in hospital within a week along with shifting of T.B. Ward to a separate building.
The CM in is visit reiterated the need to improve the overall health administration in the state for the general well being of the public at large.