Siliguri, 30th December: A long-standing issue of insufficient trolleys and wheelchairs at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) has led to growing frustration among patients and their relatives.
Despite waiting in long lines, many are allegedly unable to access the equipment, and even when available, there is a lack of staff to transport them. This has created significant problems for patients and their families, particularly those who travel from distant areas.
The alleged shortage of stretchers, trolleys, and staff at the medical facility has raised concerns over the collapsing state of medical infrastructure. Complaints of mismanagement have been voiced repeatedly.
Gautam Deb, the state government representative of the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital Patient Welfare Association, had previously assured that the issue would be resolved quickly, but the situation remains unchanged.
Reportedly, on Monday, relatives of patients expressed their anger towards the medical authorities, citing long waits of one to two hours for a trolley or wheelchair. Even when they do receive one, they are forced to transport it themselves, further compounding the difficulties.
Sanjay Mallick, Superintendent of NBMCH, explained that the high number of outdoor patients has overwhelmed the available trolleys and wheelchairs. He acknowledged the shortage of Group D staff in various wards and noted that due to the large volume of patients, relatives are being forced to pull the trolleys themselves.