Staff Reporter

 

Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has decided to enhance the services provided at its health centre. In coming budget, the university will make a provision of Rs 2 crore for the health centre. Presently, the centre is situated behind Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar College of Law, services of which are not being availed by many students due to lack manpower and the system. University wants to expand its services to the hostel of Post Graduate students and in campus too. Vice-Chancellor Dr Prashant Bokare told ‘The Hitavada’, “We will be making the provision of Rs 2 crore. I noticed that the health centre needs one more physician, nurse, minor Operation Theatre and technician to do ECG procedure.

 

We are planning to tie-up with some private hospitals. We have All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Nagpur which is providing very good service. I feel university should avail the services of AIIMS too for its students and the employees. We will check how can it be worked out.” Dr Payal Thaore, Head, Post Graduate Department of Law, RTMNU submitted a proposal where she suggested the university to start the healthcare services in Post Graduate hostels too. Dr Bokare further explained, “We want to expand the services to our other hostels also. We will have one team under a doctor to sit for two hours in our all hostels at particular timings. These doctors will do a primary treatment and give proper advise to them.

 

We observed students are experiencing so much stress and their lifestyle has changed, resulting in several physical and mental health issues. Considering it, we will coordinate with our Psychology Department whose teachers will plan for the counselling of our students.” A good pathology laboratory with proper staff too is in planning stage.” Senate Member Waman Turke had raised the issue regarding the services being provided by this health centre. This centre has only one doctor, Dr Saroj Shamkunwar, who is Chief Medical Officer of the centre. Being a gynaecologist, Dr Shamkunwar can render treatment to mostly girl students or female employees. Dr Shamkunwar tries that student should be attended immediately. She tried to improve services here since she joined on 2003 but lack of adequate staff at the centre is resulting in decline in the quality. Presently, the health centre’s services are limited to girls’ hostel, some students and employees who approach the centre with the complaints of fever, cold and cough etc. The centre does take the service of Dr Dande’s hospital.

 

 According to Dr Shamkunwar, Dr Pinak Dande himself responds quickly, sends ambulance whenever needed and sees to it that the patient get immediate treatment. The hospital does not have staff nurse, physician, Operation Theatre where small procedures can be performed. To do a general dressing, one needs to have an Operation Theatre to prevent infection or complication. A committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Waman Turke that has submitted a report to RTMNU. When the deficiencies were brought to the notice of Waman Turke, the Senate Member, he raised the issue. Turke elaborated,“We have submitted some suggestions which include holding health check-up camps, appointing physiotherapist for sports, availing the services of orthopadician.”