Seven years after the Rotary Club pumped Rs 30 lakh into the trauma care centre at the Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar,the unit has been in a state of neglect owing to a shortage of trained staff. According to the hospital staff,the trauma centre has never functioned smoothly since its inauguration seven years back. There has always been a lack of support staff and surgeons at the centre. Ventilators,which were originally meant for the trauma centre,are now being used for general surgery, said a hospital staff member. The beds meant for trauma patients are being given to orthopaedic patients instead, he added. Considering the condition of the unit,club members regret having given the financial assistance. We expected the funds will be utilised for the development of the centre,but it has been utterly neglected, said Rajendra Sawant,secretary of the Rotary Club,Ghatkopar. We have been discussing the issue internally and will very soon take up the matter with the hospital authorities so that the infrastructure can be improved. Sawant added while the club has been monitoring the development of the unit over the years,the hospital always gave reasons of shortage of doctors and internal political problems for the delay. Rajawadi is the only peripheral hospital in the eastern suburbs and bears a large load of patients from Kurla to Mulund. Hospital authorities on the other hand dont see any problem with the condition of the trauma care centre. The equipment from the unit was shifted because of renovation and has now been moved back. Also,we only look at minor surgeries so there is no need for the unit to be flooded with doctors at all times, said Dr Vijaya Bhatt,medical superintendent at Rajawadi Hospital. Dr Seema Malik,chief medical superintendent of BMCs peripheral hospital has denied any shortage of staff. The hospital is sufficiently staffed with both its own hospitals as well as MBBS post-graduate doctors from DY Patil College. With only a capacity of 10 beds,there has never been a need for too many doctors. If the club members have problems with the way the centre has turned out,they should approach us, said Malik.
