Absence of staff in the radiology department and the large-scale use of torn bed sheets in the paediatric ward of the Goa Medical College on Tuesday invited the displeasure of the Health Minister, Mr Vishwajit Rane, during a visit to the apex medical centre. He also ordered the GMC authorities to suspend a ward sister from the paediatric department for torn linen as well as inadequate bed sheets.

A visibly upset Health Minister castigated the staff for using torn linen, even as he enquired with the patients and parents of children admitted to the ward about the frequency at which the linen was changed and whether medicine was provided to them. He found that hardly a few new bed sheets were kept in the locker.

Stating that over 1,000 new bed-sheets were recently acquired for use in the GMC, he sought to know as to how the linen was distributed and where it had gone. He also directed the GMC authorities to ensure that not a single torn bed-sheet be used in the GMC. He also directed GMC authorities to seek approval for procurement of additional 3,000 bed-sheets to avoid similar situations, even as he called upon the GMC staff to be sensitive to the needs of the people who approach it out of compulsion.

The minister removed bed sheets from nearly half a dozen beds and sought their immediate replacement with good linen, questioning as to why the patients should be allowed to sleep on dirty linen.

Full Report: http://navhindtimes.com/story.php?story=2009062414