By: F.A DAR
As I stepped into Ward 7, proudly labeled as the “Pediatric Surgical and Surgical Oncology” ward, I was expecting a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the care of children. But what I saw was a stark contrast to the promise made on the board hanging in the gallery.
Instead of finding a ward filled with children, I was met with a scene that would haunt me for days to come. Elderly patients admitted for rheumatology issues but entangled with other chronic illnesses and contagious diseases, like COPD, Pertussis etc lay in beds that were a mere one foot away from the children’s beds. The only separation between them was a small wall of three feet.
The sound of productive coughing echoed through the night, a constant reminder of the contagious diseases that lurked in every corner. One patient was on oxygen, while another was nebulized three times that night. An elderly lady, who had been admitted for the past 15 days (suffering from osteoarthritis), was feed through Ryles Tube, cried out in pain throughout the night. I was helpless, unable to tolerate their suffering. May Allah ease their pain, but my concern lies with the innocent children who are exposed to these risks.
The children, whose surgeries were scheduled for common defects like hypospadias, which can be corrected by a simple procedure like Snodgrass, A one-year-old, two-year-old, or five-year-old child, who has come to the hospital for a simple procedure like correcting chordee, hypospadias, or circumcision were playing with their toys and vehicles, oblivious to the dangers that lurked around them. They laughed and played, their innocent eyes sparkling with joy, but I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The ward, where they were playing, had a dark side that threatened to destroy their health and well-being.
What’s even more alarming is that the paramedical staffs, who were responsible for assisting the doctors, were not taking any preventive measures to protect themselves or the patients from the contagious diseases. They moved freely between the beds of the elderly patients and the children, without wearing any protective gear, such as masks, gloves, or gowns.
This blatant disregard for infection control protocols put everyone at risk, including the doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers. My child’s surgery was scheduled to take place in two days, but I was anxious about the environment. Just a few weeks ago, the doctors had postponed the surgery for three weeks due to my child’s common cold. They had instructed us to ensure that my child was completely free of any cough, flu, or other illnesses on the day of the surgery, or it would be halted.
But as I looked around the ward, I saw a stark contrast between the precautions taken for my child’s surgery and the lack of concern for the contagious diseases that surrounded us.
It’s ironic that SKIMS Soura generates revenue in crores, but when it comes to providing basic facilities and care to pediatric patients, they fall woefully short. It’s like digging a mountain and finding only a rat – a monumental effort with minimal results.
These concerns were not unique to me. Many parents and attendants had similar concerns, but they dared not speak out, fearing ill treatment by the hospital staff. They whispered among themselves, sharing their worries and frustrations, but none had the courage to bring it to the attention of the administration. I decided to take a stand, to be the voice for those who feared to speak out. I demand answers from the hospital administration. Why are pediatric patients being treated in the same ward as elderly patients with contagious diseases? Why are there no separate wards for children? Why is there a lack of paramedical staff, and why can’t we have separate staff for the pediatric Surgical ward and the Rheumatology department? Why are the paramedical staffs not taking preventive measures to protect themselves and the patients from contagious diseases?
I urge the hospital authorities to take immediate action to address these critical concerns. Our children’s health and well-being depend on it. It’s time for us to demand better healthcare facilities for our children. They deserve nothing but the best. Let’s join hands to make our voices heard and ensure that our children receive the care they deserve.
The buck stops here. It’s time for change.
