Following directives from Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Secretary to Health and Family Welfare Kiran Gitte conducted an on-site inspection at the Dialysis Unit and Medicine Ward of GBP Hospital on Friday. The inspection was prompted by recent complaints concerning the quality of services at the hospital. The Dialysis Unit, which had recently been upgraded and placed under the management of Sanjevani Multispeciality Hospital, was the primary focus due to ongoing concerns about service standards.
Chief among the issues were reports of patients experiencing shivering and other discomforts, which were possibly linked to the repeated use of dialyzers. Additionally, there were serious allegations of mistreatment and substandard services, all of which were thoroughly examined during the inspection. In response to these concerns, Secretary Gitte emphasized the necessity of ensuring an adequate presence of medical staff, including doctors and technicians, in the Dialysis Unit. He also instructed that dialyzers be used only once, in line with a newly implemented policy aimed at avoiding any complications.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Shankar Chakraborty was directed to ensure that nephrologists regularly visit the Dialysis Unit to provide consistent oversight. This step was part of broader measures to address the issues raised and improve patient care.
The inspection extended to the Medicine Ward, where Secretary Gitte ordered the provision of additional beds and stand fans to enhance patient comfort. He also instructed Executive Engineer Nikhil Chandra Roy to expedite necessary repairs in the Medicine Ward and the ENT Department. The inspection team, which included Prof. (Dr.) Anup Kumar Saha and other officials from Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital, also addressed complaints regarding the absence of sufficient doctors during dialysis sessions. This issue was promptly rectified to ensure continuous medical supervision.
Approximately 100 patients undergo dialysis at GBP Hospital daily, underscoring the importance of maintaining high service standards. The inspection clarified a misunderstanding among some patients’ relatives regarding the use of water during dialysis, with nephrologists reaffirming that water is essential for the procedure. To address patient complaints about shivering during dialysis, water samples used in the procedure were sent for quality assurance testing. Additionally, the hospital’s infection control committee has been tasked with conducting fortnightly inspections to minimize the risk of catheter infections.
Despite Central Health and Family Welfare guidelines permitting the use of dialyzers up to seven times, the hospital authorities have decided to prioritize patient safety by using each dialyzer only once. This decision reflects a commitment to improving service quality at the Dialysis Unit and Medicine Ward of GBP Hospital, as highlighted by the Health Secretary’s inspection.
