There are two ENT Hospitals in Mumbai, which are part of peripheral hospitals at Bellasis Road and Flora Fountain. The equipment at The Atmasingh Bankerbihari ENT Hospital that is located opposite the VSNL Building at Fort is in a bad condition.Though the MCGM is its main source of funds, there are many trusts and donors which the hospital calls for support as and when required. Says Vinay Somani, trustee, Karmayog, a non-government organisation (NGO) at Fort, We would like suggestions on what kind of interventions can be made by NGOs, individual donors or corporates to this ENT hospital to improve the situation, both in the short term and long term.
The Chetna Charitable Trust is a long term donor for medicines and every Thursday they come and meet the patients. They understand the case and accordingly donate. Their donations are usually up to Rs 5,000.
The ENT Hospital at Fort offers all ENT services from minor to major ailments. The average income group of patients are middle class to poor patients and most of them appear to be from the outskirts of Mumbai, with many being from UP, Bihar, Gujarat and Karnataka.
The average cost of treatment is between Rs 200 to 5,000 but the hospital still gives subsidies and free treatment to a patient after the CDO decides after personally meeting the patient and his or her family. The upper limit for a free treatment is usually Rs 5,000 and if more funds are needed for the treatment, individual donors are approached who sometimes sponsor the treatment.
Various types of medical equipment are used in the hospital like an X-Ray machine, audiometer, etc. Many are in a bad state and they do require new ones. While most suggest better equipment, some doctors believe that awareness is as important.Advises Dr Aniruddha Malpani, medical director, Health Education Library for People (HELP), In order to reform the healthcare ecosystem, we need to put patients at the centre. Patients (or their relatives and friends) are intelligent and capable; and because they have a lot at stake, they are motivated to get good health care and will be willing to invest time and energy if given the right tools to ensure a good outcome. We need to provide tools directly to the patients. We can set up free Patient Education Libraries in each of these hospitals so that patients and their family-members can learn about their medical problems.These will have books and DVDs and will help to improve doctor-patient communication. In addition to libraries, tie ups with hearing aid manufacturers ensure discounts of 15 to 25 per cent and medical shops offer discounts as well.
When contacted, MCGM immediately refused help from other sources.Says Dr Thanekar, executive health officer, MCGM, We dont need funds from any sponsors. We have allocated Rs 40 lakh for the ENT hospital.
Lets hope the hospital gets what they urgently require to ensure a better healthcare service.
tresha.guha@timesgroup.com
* Age group of patients: 45 to 70 years
* Capacity of the hospital: 100 beds in all
* Capacity utilisation: approximately 50 per cent or more at all times
* Number of patients: OPD: 1,500 monthly, In-patients: 500 monthly
* Organisation structure: No of doctors: 16 Full time and 6 surgeons
* Community development officer (CDO): 1