New Chikodi Mother-Child Hospital Faces Severe Water Crisis Before Summer
The recently inaugurated 100-bed Mother and Child Hospital on the outskirts of Chikodi in Belagavi district is grappling with an acute water shortage, even before the onset of summer. For the past fifteen days, patients, their attendants, and hospital staff have been struggling without adequate water supply, severely impacting daily operations and patient care.
Patients and Staff Endure Hardships
Women from Nippani, Hukkeri, Raibag, Kagawad, Chikodi, Athani, and Mudalagi taluks of the Chikodi division rely on this hospital for treatment. Those admitted have faced numerous problems due to the lack of water, with outpatients reporting significant suffering during their stays.
One outpatient shared, "I was admitted to the hospital for my wife's delivery over the last three days. We are suffering because there is no water in the hospital. The hospital staff are not allowed to use water either."
Hospital staff confirmed that lactating mothers, pregnant women, and employees are struggling without enough water for basic needs, posing serious challenges to cleanliness and hygiene within the facility.
Groundwater Depletion and Temporary Solutions
According to officials from the health and family welfare department, the groundwater level has dropped to a depth of more than 700 feet, leaving the borewell completely dry. Currently, water is being supplied to the hospital through tankers to ensure that pregnant and lactating mothers, along with babies, do not face immediate water-related issues.
Chandrakant Hukkeri, a social worker from Chikodi, highlighted that the water problem is not new. "Last year, there was no water in the borewell even in December," he said. "The root cause is that health department officials failed to make alternative arrangements when they came to repair the borewell."
Increasing Patient Load Amidst Unresolved Crisis
The hospital sees more than 60 women admitted for treatment daily, with a growing number of deliveries each month. In January alone, 108 deliveries were recorded, including 54 natural deliveries and 26 caesarean sections. Despite this increasing patient load, the water shortage remains unresolved, exacerbating the strain on resources.
Official Responses and Promises
Dr. Mahesh Nagarbetta, the chief medical officer of the hospital, acknowledged the issue, stating that water is being supplied via tankers and the problem will be resolved as soon as possible.
Dr. SS Gaded, the additional district health officer (ADHO), confirmed the drinking water problem due to borewell repairs. "This issue will be addressed soon," he assured. "Steps will be taken to resolve the hospital's issues permanently, including the water problem."
The situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water management solutions in healthcare facilities, particularly in regions facing groundwater depletion, to ensure uninterrupted maternal and child healthcare services.
