Sarojini Naidu Medical College gets pain in the eye department

Agra: Obsolete equipment at the Ophthalmology Department of Sarojini Naidu Medical College(SNMC), shortage of medicines and items for surgery is slowly becoming catastrophic for patients coming for treatment to the healthcare facility. The outdated equipment and non-maintenance of it have resulted in machines not giving the desired results.The authorities claim that despite having put in a claim for medicine and equipment and machines, a few months ago, there has been no response from the concerned higher-ups. Doctors are finding the prevailing situation challenging.

With 40 surgeries going, and 130 OPD patients visiting the hospital daily, the absence of medical equipment such as viscoelastic, hyalase, eye lenses and other basic items is turning into an affliction for the ailing.

Dr Himanshu Kumar, Head of the Department (HOD), Ophthalmology at S N Medical College, talking to TOI said:

“We are facing a crisis due to shortage of operating machines and the non-availability of even basic medicines and surgical equipment. A few of our machines needed for surgery are not giving the desired results due to non-maintenance, as the contact for their maintenance could not be renewed with the companies concerned due to unavailability of funds. We have sent requisition slips to the chief medical officer (CMO) for more machines and tools such as phaco machine, slate lamp, auto refract meter, microscope, along with other basic surgical items, but these are yet to be delivered.”

He further stated, "We admit that some patients are made to buy some basic medicines and surgical items from outside. We hope to resolve such issues at the earliest."

“We have initiated e tendering process for consumable items only on Saturday as we couldn’t do it at the time of civic body elections. We will try to get all the formalities done at the earliest so that patients do not suffer. Regarding procurement of machines and equipment, we have sent a request to the headquarters. We expect that these machines would be delivered early next year,” Dr Mukesh Vats, Chief Medical Officer told TOI.