In GMCH, a toilet serves as laboratory too
Archit Watts/TNS

Jammu, July 29
A toilet in the Radio Diagnosis and Imaging Department of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), which daily caters to thousands of patients from all the 10 districts of the Jammu region, is being used for laboratory work. The patients and their attendants, who come to the department for X-rays, are given the X-ray films at the toilet.

Patients and their attendants wait in a toilet at the GMCH in Jammu on Friday to collect the X-ray films. Photo by writer

During a visit to the hospital, this correspondent found that X-ray films were hung there and the patients and their attendants were waiting there to collect them. Moreover, a hospital employee was distributing the X-ray films to the patients at the toilet, even as it was being used for its real purpose. A paramedical employee of the hospital said the toilet was being used as part of a laboratory for a long period.

Moreover, this was happening even though Minister for Medical Education RS Chib conducted surprise visits to the hospital regularly.

Talking to this correspondent, a number of attendants said the authorities concerned were indifferent towards the functioning of the hospital. “The technician, who conducted the X-rays, told us to collect the X-ray film from the toilet and we are awaiting its delivery,” said Amzad Shah, an attendant. Dr Romesh Gupta, Medical Superintendent of the GMCH, refused to comment over the issue.

Courtesy: The Tribune