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4 specialists, 4 junior doctors, 2 nurses stand by at Esplanade

By Sumit Kumar, Section News
Posted on Thu Dec 21, 2006 at 12:56:52 AM EST

Four specialists, four junior doctors, two nurses, a medical attendant, an ambulance, as well as a ready-to-use private VIP cabin at Woodburn Block with marbled floors, teakwood furniture and a rocking chair. These medical staff and facilities at the SSKM Hospital have been kept on stand-by for fasting Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for the past fortnight.

A senior doctor pointed out that the hospital had to deny other patients "who could have used the facilities." It is also a waste of the scarce medical resources. The cabin at the SSKM Hospital costs Rs 500 a day. The nurses cost roughly about Rs 200 per person per day. And the other equipment, including an ICCU set-up, costs Rs 300 per day.

"We are visiting the dharna manch for medical check-ups of those who are on hunger-strike. But Mamata has refused to be checked so far," said a doctor, adding, "however, we cannot take a chance."

Professor Ashok Kumar Ghosh, vice principal cum medical superintendent at SSKM Hospital, said: "This is indeed taxing for the hospital and frustrating for us, considering the patient pressure we have. We cannot afford to have four specialists and other staff members uselessly standing by at Esplanade. I myself went there a couple of times with the medical team. But duty is duty. When she decides to come in, we will give her necessary care."

Hospital authorities pointed out that she may develop health complications after fasting for so many days. Therefore, experts from various departments had to be included in the team.

As per the norms, the team was set up to monitor her health status ever since Mamata began her hunger-strike on December 3. A separate private VIP cabin along with two nurses and a medical attendant has been earmarked in case she needs to be admitted.

Everyday, the medical team which consists of four specialists, four junior doctors, two nurses and a medical attendant apart from the driver, is posted at the dharna site at Esplanade. A hospital ambulance is also placed 24 hours at the site.

Mamata's party colleague, Rabindranath Bhattacharya, Trinamool Congress MLA from Singur, was admitted to the hospital after he fell sick during a hunger-strike in Singur.

(Source-Indian Express,21/12/06)

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