Poor medical care in flood-hit Bihar

Thursday, August 2, 2007 (Darbhanga)
Over 60 lakh people have been affected by floods in Bihar. In those areas affected by the floods, the situation couldn't get any worse, since medical care in many parts is non-existent. ''We have come with a patient. There is water inside the room. No doctor is available nor is there food. We are dying. There is no means to survive,'' said Mohd Hasnain, patient's attendant.''Tell me, on whose assurance should we stay put here when there is no doctor available?'' Shammi Khan, patient's attendant.The flood in Darbhanga has submerged the medical college. Girls and undergraduate male students have been evacuated from the hostels.A few post-graduate medics, who have moved to the upper floors, are on duty.''As far as OPD is concerned, the input has surely gone down,'' said Mohan Lal, Resident Doctor.God forbid if you fall ill in flood-ravaged Darbhanga. Even if you manage to wade through the Darbhanga Medical College Hospital, the closed door of the Out Patient's Department will greet you.