CHENNAI: T Sairam, a 46-year-old accountant with a kidney disease from Chromepet, has been waiting for months to get a minor procedure so he can start with dialysis.
When no government hospital in Chengalpet district would perform Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) — a surgical connection made between a vein and artery to enable long-term dialysis — his friends suggested that he check with Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) or Stanley Medical College Hospital (SMCH).
But, both hospitals stopped performing minor and elective surgeries like AVF because a majority of beds were converted to treat Covid-19 patients.
Though a separate block was allocated to perform surgeries for non-Covid patients, it was largely restricted to road accidents, pregnancies and emergency surgeries.
Sairam, a divorcee, stayed by himself.
After his employer died of Covid in October, he lost his job and had been taking care of his medical expenses with whatever little savings he had and the help of welfare organisations and his relatives.
His creatinine levels spiked resulting in frequent swelling of legs every evening.
“I wish I could start undergoing dialysis soon but given the surge in Covid cases, I don’t think it is fair to blame the government for not prioritising minor procedures,” said Sairam.
There are hundreds of patients like Sriram who require medical attention, said Patel Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association president S M Govindarajan, who stressed on the need for a separate block in government hospitals that deal with fewer Covid patients.
V Santhanam, a residentactivist from Chrompet, said, “The in-patient ward at the local government hospital is shut.
Health authorities simply cannot leave other patients in the lurch.” A senior health department official said that such elective surgeries were performed at Omandurar Multi Speciality Hospital and patients can approach the outpatient ward (except Sundays) for assistance.
However, it will take some more time to restart such procedures at other major government hospitals, the official added.