Patients, attendants, and staff at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi are facing severe hardship as water taps on the hospital premises have been non-functional for months, disrupting access to safe drinking water. The crisis comes as temperatures soared to 39.8 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, exacerbating the situation.
Recently, Chief Minister Hemant Soren had directed officials to ensure the availability of clean drinking water at all government establishments and public places to provide relief during the summer. However, the lack of functional water facilities at RIMS has compounded problems for patients and their attendants.
Every day, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 patients visit the outpatient departments (OPDs) at RIMS from various parts of Jharkhand and neighboring states. Surendra Oraon from Ranchi’s Bero, who has been attending to his elder brother for the past 20 days after a road accident, said he has been purchasing water from vendors outside because all water taps inside the hospital are defunct.
“He was admitted to the surgery department after breaking his hands and legs in a road accident. From day one, we were forced to rely on bottled water. Every day I purchase around four liters of water from vendors outside the hospital. Although it costs just Rs 10, being the sole attendant to a critical patient and walking at least 1 km to buy water becomes hard to manage,” Surendra told TOI.
Gaurav Gupta from Bokaro, who is attending to his 66-year-old mother suffering from chest pain for the past three days, expressed his dismay. “On the hospital premises, not a single tap is working. With temperatures rising, the lack of drinking water at a premier healthcare center is a matter of shame. Moreover, the hospital lacks wheelchairs and the building is also crumbling.”
A nurse at the orthopaedic department, requesting anonymity, said that with the onset of summer, hospital authorities usually monitor the taps and repair them if required. “But this year I have not witnessed any such initiative, due to which patients, attendants, and staff are facing inconvenience,” she added.
RIMS Public Relations Officer Dr. Shishir Kumar said that water filters are installed at many places, but some parts were damaged by criminal elements. “The administration has started the process to repair the taps. After that, we hope the issue will be resolved. Over 25 filters are being repaired,” he said.
