Punjab: A visit to the maternity ward of the civil hospital here reveals a shocking lack of basic facilities, a stark contrast to the state government’s tall promises of better healthcare for the common man. The facility has serious problems, including a shortage of beds, lack of potable water and unhygienic conditions, especially in the toilets. Patients are left in deplorable conditions, with two pregnant mothers forced to share a single bed. The absence of clean drinking water is another major concern, with patients dependent on a water tank provided by an NGO, as there is no provision for potable water in the building. The maternity ward’s toilet, used by both patients and their attendants, is in a dilapidated state, raising significant hygiene concerns. For pregnant women, who are already vulnerable to infections, this lack of hygiene poses serious health risks. Sharing his ordeal, Sohan Singh, a resident of Mamdot, said: “My wife was admitted last week, she was expected to deliver the baby any time. We were shocked to see the poor infrastructure. There is no drinking water in the entire building, so we have to arrange water ourselves. The two ceiling fans in the ward are inadequate for the extreme heat and humidity, so we have also brought our own pedestal fan. Ravi Kumar, the husband of another patient from the Cantonment area, said on a similar note: “My wife delivered a baby a few days ago, and though the doctor advised us to stay longer, it is very difficult under these circumstances. I am pleading with the doctors to discharge her early so that we can go home, where I can take better care of her.”
Acting SMO Dr Nikhil Gupta acknowledged the challenges. He confirmed that 65 antenatal care (ANC) patients and 27 postnatal care (PNC) patients are currently under observation, while the hospital has only 27 beds available. “ANC patients visit the ward every other day, while PNC patients stay for a minimum of five days, depending on their condition,” said Dr Gupta. He assured that the hospital staff is trying their best, but they have already informed the higher authorities about the dire situation. The situation in this maternity ward highlights the urgent need for action to address the glaring gaps in healthcare infrastructure and services for pregnant mothers.
