Cath lab at Stanley GH brings no relief to patients

Even before the exclusive lab was set up at the hospital, only about 10 angiogram procedures were performed by the Radio-diagnosis department. The situation has not changed now, said sources at the hospital, noting that the same number of procedures are performed in a day on an average even now.

Various procedures such as coronary angiogram, angioplasty, digital subtraction angiogram and other stenting procedures for cardiovascular diseases are conducted at the cath lab, with a maximum of 15 angiograms per day. When the new lab was launched, the hospital authorities had claimed that they would offer round-the-clock services to improve the outcome of surgeries. But the cath lab was found to be closed on several days in the morning.

According to the hospital authorities, the cardiac catheterisation lab at Stanley conducts the highest number of minimally invasive tests to diagnose cardiovascular diseases in a government hospital in the State. But patients are not impressed, pointing out that they are kept on waitlist for many days.

“The procedures may be kept on standby if the patients need clinical or medical observation before the angiogram. The angiogram is functional and the procedures are being undertaken on the weekdays,” said hospital dean Dr Shanthimalar.

Many patients also complained that the hospital has only Amma drinking water centre, noting that there were not enough taps to avail drinking water for the patients and attendants. However, the authorities said that about 35-45 tankers were supplying water every day, adding that it was adequate.

“We recommend only one attendant per patient, but there are about four-five attendants and all of them are dependent on the water supplied in the hospital. Even non-patients come to the hospital and use the water. There is no shortage; we are only asking them to use the water judiciously. The supply of is being monitored by the medical superintendent. With summer approaching, we have asked to increase the supply,” added the dean.