The Times of India 18.11.2010
OT at NMC eye hospital ready
NAGPUR: After much delay, the special operation theatre constructed for ophthalmic surgeries at Nagpur Municipal Corporation's Mahal outpatient department is finally ready. Although work on it was completed in April, the OT was not operational as the NMC ophthalmologist AM Gedam was on a two-month medical leave.
Dr Gedam joined office two days back and has begun attending to patients. He said, "the OT is fully-prepared now for cataract and minor surgeries. We have all the necessary permissions in place." Ruling party leader Pravin Datke had formally inaugurated the OT in April but it did not have a smooth start. Since it did not meet the norms prescribed by state government, it was not operational and doctors continued to seek special permission from the civil surgeon at Mayo Hospital for technical reasons.
NMC officials had to submit a fresh proposal and awaited general body's sanction for carrying out changes to meet the norms. That consumed a considerable amount of time. Finally, the OT underwent changes after general body gave the green signal. The tiles were placed along the entire length of walls and flooring was changed as per specifications, sources said.
Taking cognizance of TOI report on the OT remaining shut, Datke met municipal commissioner and submitted a letter last week urging NMC authorities to start it. NMC operates two outpatient departments in Sadar and Mahal, besides a polyclinic and dispensary in Jaripatka.
"We wanted the OT to be foolproof as we cannot take any risk with the lives of patients. NMC has invested nearly Rs 20 lakh in this project. A number of residents of this zone including NMC staff will benefit from the project. I suggested that the NMC could tie-up with some good NGO or eye hospital to run the OT. What is the use of the building otherwise," Datke asked.
The NMC has also appointed three anaesthetists on call basis. Confirming this development, a senior NMC official replied, "Once Dr Gedam joins, we will start the OT. There are two options NMC is exploring. We could either appoint eye specialists on call basis to conduct operations or join hands with an eye hospital to conduct operations here. In either case, we aim to start the OT at the earliest."
