bengal-hospitals-to-ensure-24x7-services-during-durga-puja

With several incidents of maternal and child deaths reported in previous years due to hospital negligence during the festive season, the state health department has rolled out a set of stringent measures to ensure uninterrupted medical services throughout the upcoming Puja festival period.

 

The health department has warned that strict disciplinary action will be taken against doctors or department heads if any death occurs due to negligence. Officials stressed that patient safety, particularly of mothers and children, will be given top priority.

 

A detailed 11-point guideline has been sent to all medical colleges and district hospitals. Key directives include doctors must remain present in hospitals 24 hours a day, at least one assistant professor must be physically present at all times in medical colleges, a senior gynaecologist must be available round-the-clock in district hospitals, every caesarean section must be conducted in the presence of a specialist doctor, a medical officer’s presence in district hospitals is mandatory, with a duty roster prepared in advance and names and mobile numbers of doctors in gynaecology, paediatrics and anaesthesiology, along with a two-month duty chart, must be submitted to the Health Building.

 

The guidelines also mandate that diagnostic centres under PPP mode remain open 24x7, paediatricians maintain constant surveillance in SNCU units, blood banks function round-the-clock to prevent shortages, ambulances and security vehicles remain on standby and hospitals ensure an adequate stock of life-saving medicines.

 

Health department sources said vice-principals of hospitals have been authorised to conduct surprise visits and monitor compliance. “Doctors must respond within 10 minutes of receiving a call, and gynaecologists, paediatricians and anaesthesiologists will not be allowed to travel abroad or leave their duty area during this period,” said a health department official.

 

Reiterating the seriousness of the issue, the Health Department said any violation of the order will invite severe punishment. Hospitals have been directed to give utmost priority to maternal and child care during the festive season.

 

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