Stray dog menace stalks Unani Hospital
Hyderabad, April 6 (INN): It is not surprising that the second oldest hospital in the old city, the Nizamia Unani Hospital is in dire straits. Not surprising since the government has adopted a step-motherly attitude towards the hospital, for reasons unknown and incomprehensible.
The step-motherly attitude is evident by the lack of infrastructure, by the frequent power cuts, lack of drinking water.
The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that stray dogs roam freely in the wards and corridors of the hospital. The stray dog menace has spread to such an extent that it is but a matter of time before a tragedy can strike at the hospital's maternity ward.
Newborn babies are vulnerable to becoming a prey for the stray dogs and it is this fear which makes mothers and their attendants keep a watchful eye on their wards, putting aside their own fear of dogs.
The hospital has a general ward, maternity ward and Ayush section where hundreds of patients turn up from various parts of the states.
These wards have no drinking water facilities, improper lighting which and no system for disposal of garbage. The power supply can be at best described as 'erratic.' Added to these problems, the menace of dogs is the icing on the cake.
'The patients' attendants bring water from the nearby restaurants or the Mecca Masjid across the road. The main problems of the hospital are the lack of drinking water and dog menace. The hospital authorities express helplessness when these problems are pointed out,' says one of attendants Abdul Karim.
He further said that the dogs snap at the food brought for the patients or the attendants and there is very real danger for the children. 'But the most serious problem is the lack of facilities. Women who are in maternity wards feel insecure during nights particularly when power goes off, because dogs enter the wards in search of food,' Abdul Karim further added.
When contacted, the Hospital authorities said that that they had given several representations to the government for help but no attention has been given thus far.
News Posted: 6 April, 2011
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