TURA: In response to the demand of the GNLA to immediately put a stop to the collection of parking fees from vehicles at the Tura Civil Hospital (TCH) premises, the doctors and staff of the hospital have issued a statement clarifying certain points with regard to the practice.
In their clarification the hospital authorities cited many instances where the 108 or other ambulances have been obstructed by random parking and vehicle congestion greatly affecting the seriously ill patients. They pointed out that regulating traffic congestion was found to be important in the greater interest of emergency patients.
They informed that following the approval of the Hospital Management Society which is a registered society under NRHM, the premises was recently leased out for an amount of Rs 45,000 for the collection of parking fees from vehicles and the amount was deposited in the hospital management account. According to them the amount is being utilized for the benefit of patients from poor families especially, those who cannot afford to buy life saving drugs.Citing several instances of major accidents and bomb blasts where severely injured patients could not afford the cost of medicines and necessary treatments they claimed that the small amount generated through the collection of parking fees was being utilized for the benefit of the general public.
Pointing out that Tura Civil Hospital is the only referral hospital for the five districts of Garo Hills as well as adjoining areas of Assam, they claimed the hospital management was trying to provide its best services with all available resources for the citizens.
