Trade Centre wins hearts of corona patients

Chennai

Sharing their experiences with DT Next, a few patients from Choolai, who were discharged on Saturday, said the trade centre was clean and well-maintained 24x7 with assured food on time. However, two other patients from the same family, who were put up at Stanley Medical College and Government General Hospital were disappointed with the lack of hospitality there.

“After four of our family members tested positive for the virus, my mother was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital, my brother and his wife to the Stanley GH and myself to Chennai Trade Centre at Nandambakkam. While I feel myself to be lucky to be treated at the trade centre, my other three family members complain about having to put up with poor hospitality and food,” said 45-year-old K Jayaram of Choolai. “My mother was scared as she was kept in RGGH due to co-morbid conditions. Though she had issues with restroom and staff behaviour, I am happy that she recovered at the government facility,” he added.

According to Nandambakkam COVID inmates, the breakfast, lunch, dinner and Kabasura kudineer were served on time and new bedspreads were given to all those under quarantine. “Two of us in our family are discharged and advised home quarantine for another ten days. I have made new friends at Stanley Medical College. Though the doctors were kind, the staff at Stanley did nothing to comfort the patients. There were days when we brought hot water from the nearby restaurant due to sore throat. The food served was also substandard,” said S Sudha of Washermenpet.

“The first few days at the hospital were scary and stressful but after three days we could get outside food and I started feeling better,” said Sudha insisting that there could be more friendly approach from the staff at government hospitals.

When contacted, a senior official with the Public Health and Family Welfare department said the medical staff were working without adequate rest and leave. Though they are trying their best to help the patients, there is no adequate support from the public. “Though treatment is our top priority, we will inform the officials concerned in government hospitals to improve the hospitality and comfort for corona patients,” the official said.

In early May, the Nandambakkam trade centre-turned-COVID treatment facility was in the news for poor amenities and lack of quality care after some of the people who were quarantined there took to protests.