In a surprising move, Dehradun District Magistrate Savin Bansal, an IAS officer of 2009 batch, conducted an unannounced inspection of the Coronation District Hospital just one day after taking charge. Arriving at the hospital in his personal vehicle at 9:30 am, DM Bansal took a hands-on approach by standing in line like any other patient to get his slip. He then proceeded to visit various departments to review the hospital’s operations.
For half an hour, DM Bansal carried out his inspection unnoticed by the health workers, who were caught off guard when the medical officer arrived hastily upon learning of his presence. The DM expressed significant dissatisfaction with several aspects of the hospital’s functioning.
During his visit, DM Bansal scrutinized the hospital’s cleanliness, availability of clean drinking water, and overall patient convenience. He criticized the current cleanliness standards, noting they were below the expected level. Additionally, he raised concerns about the availability of clean drinking water and instructed Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Sanjay Jain to address these issues promptly.
Upon discovering that the hospital had insufficient medicine counters, DM Bansal directed the Chief Medical Superintendent to increase their number and ensure proper arrangement of the indicators for doctors available in the outpatient department (OPD).
The District Magistrate also took the opportunity to inspect various hospital wards, including the Nikku ward, general ward, OT, dengue ward, ICU, and emergency services. He spoke directly with patients and their attendants to assess their satisfaction with the facilities and care provided. He further inquired about the punctuality of doctors, the procurement of medicines, and the overall condition of the hospital equipment.
During his inspection of the operation theatre, DM Bansal identified the need for additional equipment and instructed the relevant authorities to prepare a proposal for procurement. He emphasized the necessity for continuous monitoring of hospital arrangements and directed the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Medical Superintendent to ensure improvements. He also stressed the importance of regular staff presence at the Asha helpline desk.
The surprise visit underscores DM Bansal’s commitment to ensuring high standards of healthcare delivery and administrative efficiency at the Coronation District Hospital. His proactive measures aim to enhance patient care and streamline hospital operations.
