Chaos Erupts During BJP Minister's Surprise Hospital Inspection
A sudden change in the inspection schedule of BJP minister Dharampal Singh, who is in-charge for Meerut, created chaos and exposed serious shortcomings at the Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial (LLRM) Medical College in Meerut on Wednesday.
The minister, who was originally proposed to visit the district hospital, instead made an unannounced entry into the medical college premises, catching staff completely off guard. The unexpected visit triggered a frantic scramble among hospital employees to clean corridors and organize wards at the last minute.
Minister Expresses Dissatisfaction with Hospital Conditions
During his inspection, Dharampal Singh lashed out at Principal R C Gupta, clearly stating "I am not satisfied" with what he witnessed. The minister's abrupt visit revealed the stark reality of the medical facility's day-to-day operations, contrasting sharply with the hurried cleanup attempts made upon his arrival.
A hospital sweeper, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the core staffing problem: "There isn't enough cleaning staff; how can we manage to keep the hospital clean all the time?" This statement pointed to systemic issues rather than temporary lapses in maintenance.
Patients Reveal Shocking Treatment Conditions
Several patients came forward with disturbing accounts of the regular treatment conditions at the medical college. They confirmed that basic arrangements, including chairs for sitting, were provided only when the minister walked in.
Ankit Mishra, a patient with a chronic illness, shared his frustrating experience: "I have to travel almost 25 kilometres from my home to the medical college to get my medicines. I always face disappointment as there is always a shortage of medicines, and they don't even provide a chair, table, or stool to sit on. Today, when the minister walked in, the staff provided a stool. Otherwise, they don't even speak properly. There are no beds available for patients like me. The situation is very bad."
Another patient's attendant, Kavita Kumari, added to the concerning narrative: "No attention is being paid to the patients here. They are continuously being shifted to different wards. We have been given forceful discharge cards. There are no such facilities, and doctors are not attending to the patients."
Emergency Ward Negligence Exposed
Perhaps the most alarming account came from Afseen, whose mother Farzana Begum was in critical condition after drinking acid. "My mother, Farzana Begum, drank acid and is in the emergency ward for almost two hours, but no doctor came to attend to her. After they saw that the minister would see us, a resident doctor pretended to attend to us, but soon after he left, my mother was left like she didn't have any existence," Afseen told TOI.
This testimony suggests that the medical staff's responsiveness was merely performative during the minister's visit, rather than reflecting genuine patient care standards.
Minister Promises Immediate Action and Follow-up
Following his inspection, Dharampal Singh informed TOI about the planned corrective measures. "I have given some instructions to the principal, and DM Meerut will do another inspection within a month. We came to know about all loopholes, and they will be addressed soon," the minister stated.
When specifically questioned about the critical shortage of staff that became evident during his visit, Dharampal responded: "We will speak to the health minister, and necessary actions will be taken accordingly."
The surprise inspection has shed light on the grim realities faced by patients at the government medical college, raising serious questions about healthcare infrastructure and patient care standards in the region. The promised follow-up inspection in one month will determine whether these concerning issues receive the urgent attention they require.
