| Font Size |
Aparna’s had went into labour around 2.45 am Monday and was taken a rural hospital in Manchar where doctors told her family to immediately shift her to YCMH in Pimpri, as the rural hospital had no anesthetist or adequate staff to perform a C-section, and blood was short in supply.
“We were told to rush her to YCMH as doctors at the District Rural Hospital conveyed their inability to perform the Caesarean delivery. We did not go to a private hospital as we were told they would not have adequate blood storage,” said Aparna.
Aparna was brought to YCMH where she delivered a boy, only to be stolen hours later.
There is a lack of adequate medical facility in Shirur constituency of Shiv Sena MP Shivajirao Adhalrao-Patil. Every month, as many as 150 serious patients are rushed to YCMH. “Of the patients admitted to YCMH, 15-20 per cent are from rural areas,” said YCMH medical superintendent Dr Anand Jagdale, who is also the PCMC health chief.
Rural areas primarily Junnar, Ambegaon, Manchar, Rajgurunagar, Chakan, Ale Phata, Peth and villages right up to Sangamner falls under Adhalrao’s constituency. Patients have to spend one to two hours travelling to reach YCMH. Doctors at YCMH said the plight of pregnant women, heart patients or those bitten by snakes is seen to be believed. “By the time snake bite patients are brought to YCMH, the venom spreads. Even basic medical care seems to be missing in rural areas. Several patients from far off succumb before they reach the hospitals in Pimpri-Chinchwad,” said former PCMC health chief Dr Rajshekhar Iyer. He there have been repeated demands from rural areas for a full-fledged hospital.
“I know there is a need for a well-equipped hospital in my constituency. If not like Sassoon or YCMH, it should be bigger to care for hundreds of patients forced to rush to Pimpri or Pune.” Slamming government apathy, Adhalrao said, “From my first tenure, I have been making efforts to get a bigger hospital or upgrade the rural hospital in my constituency. I have met CMs and officials several times. I have taken up the issue with the Centre. I am helpless. Since Sena is not in power, I am not able to push the case. The government has refused to respond,” he said. Adhalrao said he would hold another round of discussion with the CM and officials. “I hope the government pays heed to my plea this time as YCMH is overburdened,” said Adhalrao.
His rival in the last election, Bhosari MLA Vilas Lande said, “If in eight years of his terms, Adhalrao has not been able to ensure proper medical care for patients from his constituency, it only reflects his performance as an MP. Had Adhalrao made serious efforts, there is no reason why proper facilities would not have reached his areas. Adhalrao has failed as an MP and should accept it,” he said.
