Rainwater in operation theatre brings surgeries down

Hyderabad: Rainwater leaked into the Osmania General Hospital’s urology operation theatre (OT), angering doctors over the premises’ continuing unchecked deterioration.

The Quli Qutub Shah building that caters to patients with urology, nephrology and cardiovascular disease, is leaking water in the OT making surgery difficult.

This month’s rain has collected on the terrace, seeping into the walls and dripping everywhere. Water stagnated in the corridors as well, endangering the movement of patients, doctors and para-medical staff. Problems began after the construction of a fourth floor was allowed on part of the terrace.

“The government wants to accommodate extra patients as one floor of the old OGH has shut,” a senior doctor said, demanding anonymity. “Two floors are functional but cement flakes frequently drop leading to constant danger.”

“QQS is 40 years old and in good condition, but the works for an extra floor have led to damage and hampered work,” said a doctor. As a result, surgeries have come down from ten a day to five daily.

“We want the government to expedite a new OGH building,” Dr P. Naik, chairman of the OGH joint action committee said. This need was stressed in a meeting with health minister Etala Rajender. “It is important that the government sanction it to accommodate patients, doctors, administration and a large number of people.”

The demand for a new building is ten years old and Rs 200 crore was set aside by the previous government of Kiran Kumar Reddy. In the past years the demand has gained urgency with the deterioration of the existing building.