Nagpur: AIIMS Nagpur, a premier healthcare institution equipped with modern infrastructure, faced severe criticism from Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, due to persistent issues of perennial waitlists, unavailability of ventilators, operation theatres, beds, and a shortage of medical staff.
During the dedication ceremony of IIIT Nagpur at Waranga on Saturday, Gadkari expressed his dissatisfaction with the hospital administration, citing the failure to provide essential treatments to patients with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia. He highlighted the disconnect between the substantial government funds allocated to AIIMS Nagpur and the inadequate services being provided to the public.
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Friday 22 Nov. 2024
“People question elected representatives on the use of spending so much if the premier institute fails to provide the requisite treatment to them,” Gadkari said, urging AIIMS Nagpur to address the critical issues immediately.
Despite being equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and enjoying popularity not only in Vidarbha but also in neighbouring states, AIIMS Nagpur has been grappling with a manpower shortage for more than two years. This shortage has hindered the optimal utilization of the advanced resources available at the institution. Recently, the PET Scan facility also came to a halt following the resignation of its lone physicist.
“We brought so much money from the Government of India. Devendra Fadnavis helped us. Hence our Vidarbha region, and Nagpur must benefit from it, but AIIMS Nagpur has left me upset,” Gadkari expressed his disappointment.
The Union Minister questioned the need to send patients with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia to Mumbai and emphasized the necessity for AIIMS Nagpur to focus on providing high-quality medical care to the local population.
“What have we gained by bringing so much government funds for you? If you don’t fix this, then we have no interest in keeping you. We need you to be useful here,” he warned, stressing the importance of the institution benefiting Nagpur and Vidarbha through its capacities, including organ transplants and cutting-edge medical technologies for the benefit of the underprivileged.
Gadkari recalled a recent incident where he had referred a patient to AIIMS Nagpur, only to find that no ventilator was available. He concluded by emphasizing that only a correct and efficient use of the substantial investment can justify the existence and continued support for AIIMS Nagpur.
Later, speaking at Government-run Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (IGGMCH), the Nagpur MP said 70 to 80 pc SC/ST population in Bhandara, Gondia, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Nagpur are afflicted with sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia.
North Nagpur has 80,000 poor sickle patients. “I facilitated 50 bone marrow transplants from CSR funds. I appeal to all three Government Medical Colleges (IGGMCH, AIIMS Nagpur and GMCH) to offer high-end treatment — from organ transplant to sickle cell — to the poor. They can mutually share different specialities instead of trying to offer all individually,” he said.
Gadkari added, “Healthcare costs in private hospitals are too high for the poor. They prefer death instead of treatment at a private hospital. PM Modi and the government of Maharashtra have helped save lives of the poor.”
