Min orders regular hospital inspections

Jaipur: Medical education department on Monday informed health minister Gajendra Khimsar that the public works department (PWD) indicated a requirement of Rs 84 crore for repair works in the state's govt-run hospitals, against which approval for about Rs 44 crore had been issued. Of the 81 hospitals attached to medical colleges in the state, nod was given for establishing PWD posts in 29 hospitals.

Khimsar told officials that public health was a very sensitive issue and negligence at any level would not be tolerated. He said all officials should regularly inspect hospitals within their jurisdiction and immediately address any deficiencies found during inspections.

On May 1, two patients undergoing treatment in the surgery ward of SMS Hospital were injured when plaster from the ceiling fell on them.

Khimsar said the state's medical colleges and their affiliated hospitals will now undergo regular inspections. If deficiencies found during inspections are not resolved within a specified period, disciplinary action will be taken against the responsible officer.

Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen cleanliness, repairs, testing, medication, and treatment facilities to make hospitals more patient-friendly.

In the meeting, medical education secretary Ambrish Kumar said around 150 officials in 33 teams conducted intensive inspections in medical colleges and their affiliated hospitals on Friday.

A report of the inspections was prepared, and based on this, improvements will be made soon. Medical education commissioner Iqbal Khan said the inspections evaluated cleanliness in hospital premises, necessary repairs of buildings, availability of medical resources, patient convenience, security arrangements, and service quality. Proper disposal of biomedical waste, availability of electricity and water, and functionality of fire safety equipment were also examined.