Chennai's historic Raja Sir Ramaswamy Mudaliar (RSRM) Lying-in Hospital in Royapuram, a 145-year-old institution, is facing a severe infrastructural crisis. While it remains a vital hub for maternal care, serving hundreds of women daily, its failing facilities are forcing patients and attendants into difficult situations.
Patients Forced to Navigate Broken Infrastructure
The main lift in the hospital's primary building has been non-functional for a significant period. This has led to pregnant women and their elderly attendants battling for space on the ramps, which they must use to travel between the ground and second floors. The situation is compounded by a critical shortage of stretchers.
On Wednesday, a 21-year-old patient from Redhills, who had just undergone a termination of pregnancy, was instructed to walk up to her room on the next floor. The reason given was the unavailability of a stretcher, as the only available one had been allocated to another woman who had gone into labour.
Overwhelmed Capacity and Daily Struggles
The hospital's burden is immense. It sees approximately 400 outpatients daily, with an extra 200 arriving for scans. All 619 inpatient beds are currently occupied, and plans are underway to add another 200 beds soon. This overcrowding intensifies the daily struggles.
Attendants, often family members, are forced to make multiple trips for basic necessities. A 53-year-old man attending to his admitted daughter stated he walks up and down at least five times a day to purchase essentials like water, blankets, and mosquito repellents. Ward staff have echoed these challenges, sometimes relying on young visitors to help push carts.
Administration Acknowledges Delays in Repairs
Hospital authorities have acknowledged the pressing issues. Resident Medical Officer (in-charge) Dr. Vijaya Lakshmi noted that even in a newly constructed building with operation theatres and a newborn care unit, the lifts occasionally face glitches.
Medical Superintendent Dr. Shanthi K. Elango provided specifics on the main building's lift. "We have only one lift. It is 10 years old and needs to be replaced," she said. While funds for the replacement were sanctioned six months ago, the process is delayed. Dr. Elango cited a "lack of consistent cooperation from the civil and electrical engineers" as the primary reason but assured that fixing the lift is a priority.
The scene at RSRM Hospital highlights the gap between the essential healthcare services provided by legacy government institutions and the crumbling infrastructure that hampers their delivery, putting undue strain on some of the most vulnerable patients.
