Allocate more beds, prevent strangers in Old GGH in Vijayawada, say Andhra Pradesh SCPCR members

SCPCR members during an inspection of the Old GGH in in Vijayawada on Wednesday.

The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has directed doctors of the Old Government General Hospital (GGH) here to allocate more beds and prevent movement of strangers inside the hospital.

Commission Chairman Kesali Appa Rao, members T. Adi Lakshmi, J. Rajendra Prasad and G. Seetha Ram on Wednesday visited the wards and enquired about the medical facilities for mothers and babies.

Resident Medical Officer (RMO) U. Shobha explained that facilities were provided jointly under Janani Suraksha and other schemes to the babies through National Health Mission (NHM) and the State government.

The Commission members visited the Special newborn Care Unit (SNCU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and the Mother and Newborn Care Unit (MNCU) and enquired about the medical aid being extended to both the infants and mothers.

NICU in-charge Sowjanya said that mostly high risk cases come to the Old GGH, and in some cases infants will be provided treatment for two months, if the weight of the baby is less or if the infant is suffering with any ailments.

Mr. Appa Rao questioned why two babies and their mothers were allotted one bed in the MNCU, and asked them to give one bed to each mother. Mr. Seetha Ram instructed the doctors to put up caution boards on movement of strangers, and the contact numbers of the on-duty police security staff.

Paediatrician Sunitha said that Radio Frequency Identification Tag (RIFD) would be given to both mother and the infant to prevent missing or kidnap of babies. “If any person tries to cross the main gate without official discharge, an alarm will be raised which will alert the hospital authorities. RIFD will be given to both mother and infant, immediately after the delivery,” Dr. Sunitha said.

Dr. Shobha said that about 100 CCTVs were installed in and around the hospital to prevent kidnap of babies, swapping, thefts and other crimes.

Commission member, Ms. Adi Lakshmi interacted with the mothers and attendants and enquired about the medical facilities, quality of diet and the behaviour of the staff in the hospital.