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Hospital shutdown on ULB polling day leaves patients neglected, ET HealthWorld

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Dehradun: Patients were left in a lurch on Thursday as regular healthcare services were suspended across govt hospitals due to polling for the urban local body (ULB) elections, with only emergency and inpatient services functioning.

One such case involved 65-year-old Lakshmi Devi, who arrived at Bageshwar district hospital with both legs fractured after a fall. Her husband, Kishore Singh Khetwal, pleaded with staff for a room, but they were allegedly ignored. A nurse told them to get “treated here and move on” since the hospital is closed due to elections, the family alleged. Devi’s catheter was inserted in the hospital gallery, in full public view, they added.

Dr S K Tripathi, chief medical superintendent of the hospital, said, “The hospital has two orthopedic specialists, but one is on leave and the other is unavailable. We understand the inconvenience caused, but normal services will resume once the doctors return.” Dr Kumar Aditya Tiwari, chief medical officer, added that in the absence of specialists, other doctors are consulted and critically injured patients are referred to higher centers.

Across the state, many patients were either referred to distant hospitals from primary health centres and community health centres or forced to seek expensive treatment at private facilities.

The day’s events highlighted the serious gaps in healthcare in the state, with health experts pointing out that systemic issues and poor planning leave rural and elderly patients vulnerable. “While elections are critical, the inability of the health infrastructure to maintain basic services on such days raises serious concerns about priorities. For many patients, seeking care elsewhere is not just a financial burden—it’s a matter of survival,” said an expert.

Meanwhile, two cops on poll duty fainted in Udham Singh Nagar. Dr K K Agrawal, medical superintendent of US Nagar district hospital, said they were dehydrated due to overstress and continuous sun exposure. “They’ve been given primary treatment and are no longer in danger,” he added.

Amid the chaos, some patients, despite their conditions, went to polling stations and returned to hospitals. Their photos and videos were widely shared on social media.

(With inputs from Yogesh Nagarkoti in Bageshwar and Aakash Ahuja in US Nagar)

  • Published On Jan 24, 2025 at 07:00 AM IST

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