NIMS, Gandhi in water crisis

Not only are the patients being put to severe inconvenience but even medical services face the threat of disruption due to acute water scarcity at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) and Gandhi hospital. Alarmed at the water crisis and the possible disastrous consequences if it continues for some more time, the managements of both hospitals have decided to take up the matter with the GHMC and Hyderabad Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB) to ensure regular supplies to the institutions.Managements of both hospitals say categorically that it will become difficult to run medical services if water shortage is not solved.“Hospitals need water every day and certain departments, especially dialysis wards, operation theatres and kitchens, cannot run without water. We have somehow been managing so far despite irregular water supply,” Dr VL Rao, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Gandhi hospital told Expresso.“We will definitely try to save as much water as possible and also look for alternate sources. But if we face a water cut, we will be in trouble,’’ he said.As many as 700 beds in the 1600-bed capacity hospital are occupied by inpatients and doctors expect more admissions in the summer due to seasonal diseases. “The hospital requires about 15 lakh litres of water per day and the requirement is likely to go up in the summer,” Dr Rao said.The situation is no different at NIMS where even medical services are being affected badly. Though officials are tight-lipped over the water situation, patients are venting their anger.“The hospital authorities told us that in view of severe water shortage the supplies are being rationed and if we needed more we have to get it from outside,’’ said S Lakshmamma, relative of a patient, who came from Karimnagar district.“We get water once in two or three days and even that doesn’t reach all.Sometimes, we don’t even have water to drink,” another attendant said.Luckily, Niloufer and Osmania General hospitals do not face water shortage as of now. Niloufer hospital Resident Medical Officer Usha Rani said the hospital has regular water supply as it has a direct pipeline.Dr Subbalakshmi, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Osmania General Hospital, said there is no water scarcity at the hospital at present and they will get additional water tanks from the water board if the requirement goes up in the near future.

By Mouli Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com