Amit Halder
Port Blair, May 29: Though services have improved in the lone referral hospital of these islands in the recent months, allegations of mistreatment of senior citizens may draw flak for the management of GB Pant Hospital.
According to reports, several senior citizens have reported maltreatment by the security guards at the medicine counters, but no action has been initiated against the culprits.
As per information, some security guard jump into the queue of senior citizens to obtain medicines for their near and dear ones. Instances have also been reported when the security guards verbally abused the senior citizens at the medicine counters.
“The misdeeds of the security guards can be revealed from the CCTV footages in the OPD Counter. Generally the queue for the senior citizens is small and to take advantage of the situation, the security guards break into their lines to obtain medicines. When some senior citizens objected to their acts, they were mistreated by the security guards. Some even hurled abuses at the senior citizens. Even the staff manning the medicine counters don’t say anything to the security guards and provide them the medicines from the queue meant for senior citizens,” said an eyewitness speaking to Andaman Sheekha.
Andaman Sheekha team also has photographs showing how one Security Guard is jumping the queue forcefully, while senior citizens are opposing
When contacted, the Medical Superintendent of GB Pant Hospital, Dr MK Saha refuted any harassment to the senior citizens at the hospital. No additional security guards are present at the OPD counter meddle with the senior citizens. Special instructions have been given to all appointed security guards to treat the elderly on priority and provide them all possible assistance. In fact, some senior citizens get furious when they are asked to produce their senior citizen cards at the Counters, he said adding that jumping queues is not a good practice particularly in hospitals.
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