Visakhapatnam:Shifting patients from industrial suburbs of Anakapalle to Visakhapatnam’s corporate hospitals or KGM, through the peak traffic conditions has turned out to be a tough task for crisis managers.
In this context, it is proposed that a super speciality hospital for burn injuries and trauma care be set up in the industrial zone between Achyutapuram and Anakapalle.
“King George Hospital can take any number of patients. But, there must be a specialist hospital in the industrial area to save travel time and provide emergency treatment to victims of mishaps,’’ said KGH superintendent Dr K Sivanand.
Visakhapatnam region has over 550 industrial units including steel plant, HPCL refinery, shipyard and 220 pharma units employing around three lakh people.
“Out of these, around one lakh workers are registered under Employees State Insurance Corporation. Yet corporate or KGH is the only source of treatment for them in times of emergency. ESI funds are being wasted. Instead, the government may think of building a high class hospital in the industrial area,” said CITU state president Narsinga Rao.
CPI(M) Anakapalle secretary K Lokanadham said a super speciality hospital could be developed with CSR funds drawn from these industries. These funds are never spent for the workers, he said.
VSP general hospital has had no plastic surgeon for the last 20 years. Other industries have makeshift hospitals but accident victims were never taken there due to lack of facilities.
Well-known plastic surgeon and former principal of Andhra Medical College, Dr PV Sudhakar, said the idea of a super special hospital in the industrial belt is fine but managing it would be a herculean task. Managing emotionally charged workers at times of accident would be very difficult as there would be no control over them. Hence specialist doctors might not come forward to work in industrial hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, trade union leaders have urged the government to establish a hospital in industrial areas to at least provide first aid.
