Dr. Esther
bethelhospital2009@gmail.com

Once a thriving general hospital, the covid pandemic hit the hospital in many ways for the worse.

The main focus of gynaecology/obstetrics and ophthalmology services had to change its course of functioning in these covid times. Due to Lockdown, the regular gynaecology and eye patients were trickling in. With no admissions, the frustration not only led to main Obstetrician’s resignation but put pressure on financial resources as well. The peripheral community health services of the hospital were also hit as the state government advised the hospital not to admit any Covid-19 cases but to refer them to the government hospital.

Serving the low- and middle-income strata, the hospital greatly depended on reaching out to large numbers of patients by holding periodic medical camps. Due to Covid-19, these camps could not be held. At the same time, the Ambulance, and a Minibus which the hospital used to transport staff and bring patients to the camp are in dilapidated conditions and need to be replaced.

The hospital has 100 beds but is having poor occupancy due to lack of adequate equipment, staff, ventilator and medicine stock. Fund crunch is hampering the hiring of required medical staff. Infrastructure upgradation is required to renovate old wards and equipping the General OT. The hospital needs urgent support so as to serve the underprivileged community.