Gudiyattam doctors move upsets health officials

Vellore

The proposal by the local CPM unit to agitate on Friday against the hospital being made a COVID-19 treatment center was also at the behest of some elements among the doctors, officials revealed.

When asked about the issue, CPM office-bearer K Saminathan said, “the agitation is against sending both doctors and patients to Pernambut Government Hospital, 20 km away. We want the government to set up a separate coronavirus treatment facility at some other place and not within the hospital.”

But, top health officials said there was no move to convert Gudiyattam GH into a COVID-19 hospital. “A look into the number of cases treated, patients operated and deliveries undertaken in the last two months by Gudiyattam hospital will reveal the true state of affairs,” a senior health official said.

Presently, the Vellore Government Medical College Hospital (VGMCH) handles coronavirus treatment from Vellore, Tirupattur and Ranipet districts as this is the only medical college hospital for the three districts. “This has resulted in heavy burden on medical personnel on COVID-19 duty. That Gudiyattam GH doctors wanting to play safe while others carry the burden is neither fair nor justified,” officials said.

As of now, COVID-19 treatment is going on at the Vellore Medical College Hospital while the 200 bed Pentland taluk hospital in Vellore town is used only to quarantine patients from the above mentioned areas, sources revealed.

“However if the present surge in virus cases continues to increase, then Pentland and even Gudiyattam GH will be requisitioned to treat COVID-19 cases, officials averred. At present 10 beds have been allotted for COVID-19 patients in the Gudiyattam hospital, but till date the ward remains empty as COVID-19 cases are being referred and treated at Vellore Government Medical College Hospital.