Jaipur: The OPD at SMS Hospital has 30 stretcher trolleys, but there are only 15 people to run them. Due to the shortage of trolley men, patients’ attendants are asked to run these, and the contractor takes their Aadhaar card as security or identification proof.
While 30 stretcher trolleys are woefully insufficient for a hospital that gets nearly 10,000 patients visiting the OPD every day, the presence of just 15 men to run the trolleys often makes it all the more difficult for patients needing them.
“We have 30 trolleys and 15 trolley men. Since patients take time and keep the trolleys engaged at the OPD, the blood sample collection labs, or at other diagnostic test centres for a long time, the trolley men leave them at the place and collect them from there once their (patients’) work is completed,” said the in-charge of the trolley booth in front of Dhanwantari building.
When the TOI team reached the trolley and wheelchair station at SMS Hospital, no wheelchair was in sight. “We have five wheelchairs. All have gone to the OPD. No wheelchair is currently available,” said the in-charge, who was collecting and returning Aadhaar cards of the patients’ attendants.
While 30 stretcher trolleys are woefully insufficient for a hospital that gets nearly 10,000 patients visiting the OPD every day, the presence of just 15 men to run the trolleys often makes it all the more difficult for patients needing them.
“We have 30 trolleys and 15 trolley men. Since patients take time and keep the trolleys engaged at the OPD, the blood sample collection labs, or at other diagnostic test centres for a long time, the trolley men leave them at the place and collect them from there once their (patients’) work is completed,” said the in-charge of the trolley booth in front of Dhanwantari building.
When the TOI team reached the trolley and wheelchair station at SMS Hospital, no wheelchair was in sight. “We have five wheelchairs. All have gone to the OPD. No wheelchair is currently available,” said the in-charge, who was collecting and returning Aadhaar cards of the patients’ attendants.
