Dec. 02--NEW DELHI -- Sushruta Trauma Centre (STC), the hospital that refused admission to the accident victim causing his death on Tuesday, is on a verge of a shut down.
Located on Outer Ring Road near Kashmere Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal -- the only Delhi government trauma care hospital -- might be converted into a maternity and child care centre, if the health department has its way.
"Though we haven't taken a decision yet, talks are on to convert it into a mother and child care hospital as we are in need of one. In most government hospitals, maternity patients have to resort to twin sharing due to paucity of beds," said Kiran Walia, Delhi health minister.
Ever since STC came up, it has been reeling under severe shortage of neuro-surgeons and anaesthetists. All efforts by Delhi government to fill vacancies and improve infrastructure have failed. Sources say it is because of poor administration.
But doesn't Delhi need a trauma centre -- especially north Delhi which does not have any speciality hospital?
"This will be the worst thing to happen to north Delhi as they will have to go to Panipat in Haryana and Loni in Uttar Pradesh for treatment. We get at least 50 new trauma cases daily and perform an average of 140 major surgeries every month," said a doctor from STC, on the condition of anonymity.
"The health minister should focus on plugging the gaps at STC instead of converting it into a mother and child centre," said a doctor working with the Delhi government.
Dr MC Misra, head at AIIMS trauma centre, said: "There is a definite need for more trauma care centres. Closing down STC wouldn't be the best idea."
"But in case, the government wants to shift it to Lok Nayak hospital, it may be in the interest of the patients as Lok Nayak being an older set-up has all specialties to focus on various patient needs," said Dr Mishra.
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