Beds empty, few staff: At Safdarjung hospital’s private ward, ops yet to begin

An official from the hospital, on condition of anonymity, said no decision has been taken on when the ward will begin functioning: “What will be the fare for private single rooms or sharing rooms, how many nurses will be deployed, facilities that will be provided, how many departments will get how many rooms — nothing has been decided so far. Proposals were sent to the Union Health Ministry, but approvals are still awaited.”

He added that 50-odd patients have availed the service for free since December only on recommendation from their doctor and medical superintendent.

The Safdarjung Hospital, as well as newly appointed Medical Superintendent Dr Vandana Talwar, did not respond to questions regarding the delay. There was no response from the health ministry either.

According to an official from the hospital, the health ministry has advised to form a committee to decide the rates of the private ward. “Some manpower has been approved, for which recruitment has been initiated. Additional manpower, especially support staff, is required for which calculations are being done. The ward will have single and double beds with an attached toilet, a bed panel, a nurse calling system, central monitoring, a cot for the attendant and amenities such as a sofa, fridge, almirah, and TV. While some of the rooms have been equipped with a TV, almirah and refrigerator, all rooms are yet to get facilities,” he added.

He further said a few beds will be reserved for faculty/staff, CGHS beneficiaries etc. A private operation theatre and ICU has been provisioned as well. Later, a private OPD may also be started.

Earlier this month, The Indian Express visited the facility and found that all rooms, barring two, were vacant. Two patients admitted there said they were not aware of the charges.

One of the patients, Dayachand Tyagi (75), had undergone a heart surgery. His son Mohit said, “My father got the room on recommendation after CRT-D surgery (cardiac resynchronisation therapy).”

Dayachand added that post surgery, he went back home but his stitches got infected. “We consulted the doctor and he admitted me to the hospital and later to the private ward,” said Dayachand, adding that they have not been told anything about the room rate so far.

The second patient, Manpreet, who was suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, said: “Doctors from the pulmonology department sent us here as I was facing difficulty in breathing.”

A nursing official on duty said only 10 rooms currently have facilities. “The ward has only junior resident doctors,” she added.

The nursing official added that a payment system has not been started in the private ward: “Services are free for now. Whatever patients pay in general wards, for tests, medicines etc, they pay the same here.”

Another official said the aim behind setting up a private ward was to cater to the high load of patients and create a facility on par with AIIMS where room charges were hiked last year. At AIIMS, an A class (deluxe room) costs Rs 6,300 a day. For ‘B’ class/ordinary rooms, it is Rs 3,000 a day.