Latest news with #ADH
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Aundh District Hospital operating sans MRI machine for a year, adding to patients' woes
PUNE: Aundh District Hospital (ADH), a major government hospital in Pune district, has been operating without an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machine for almost a year now, forcing hundreds of patients—many of whom are from low-income backgrounds—to turn to expensive private hospitals. Pune, India - Aug. 5, 2023: District Hospital in Aundh in Pune, India, on Saturday, August 5, 2023. (Photo by Kalpesh Nukte/HT PHOTO) According to officials, MRI scans are crucial for diagnosing a wide range of medical conditions, including brain injuries, tumours, spine problems, and joint disorders. However, patients at ADH must now wait for weeks or travel long distances to other government hospitals that are already overloaded to avail this facility. Besides, many patients cannot afford the cost of private scans, which range from ₹4,000 to ₹12,000 depending on the body part which is to be scanned. The government of Maharashtra in November 2023 appointed 'Unique Wellness', a private agency, to provide CT scan and MRI services at ADH. As per the agreement, the private agency was handed over possession of a designated space at ADH to set up CT scan and MRI services. As per the agreement, the CT scan and MRI services were supposed to be started within six months from the date of the private agency taking possession of the space. However, only CT scan services have been initiated at the hospital in August 2024 while MRI services are yet to be started, officials said. Pune district civil surgeon, Dr Nagnath Yempalle, has written to the private agency on July 17, 2025 calling for an explanation for its failure to start MRI services at ADH since February 2025. 'The stipulated six-month period to start the MRI service has lapsed in February 2025. This has resulted in inconvenience to the patients at the hospital. We have asked the private agency to submit an explanation regarding the non-initiation of the MRI service immediately. Also, in case of failure to respond, the issue will be reported to the higher authorities for further action,' said the civil surgeon. Dr Yempalle further informed that when patients bring up the issue of the absence of an MRI facility, the hospital authorities ask the private agency to get the MRI done at the latter's private facility in Aundh. Whereas the transport and manpower for the same is arranged by ADH. But it is still an inconvenience to patients, not to mention a waste of resources and time; Dr Yempalle said. Health experts say that the lack of timely MRI services can delay diagnosis and treatment, especially in cases of stroke, tumours, and internal injuries. The situation is challenging in severe cases. Sunanda Jadhav (name changed), a housemaid who had travelled from Talegaon, said, 'The doctor advised me to get an MRI of the spine. But I was told the machine is not available at ADH. I don't have the money to go to a private lab…' The ADH, on an average, has over 1k patients seeking treatment at the outpatient department (OPD) daily and has a capacity of 300 beds. While more than 100 patients are admitted to different wards of the hospital. On an average, around five to six patients require MRI services daily, and the number is high during the dedicated 'Ortho OPD' days. Besides, patients with severe/critical illnesses are referred from sub-district hospitals and rural hospitals of the district to ADH. Health activists have also raised concerns over the state's slow response, and have demanded urgent action. 'The absence of such key diagnostic services defeats the purpose of a district hospital meant to serve poor and middle-class citizens. Not every patient goes and meets the civil surgeon, asking for help to get the MRI done. The staff at the hospital only say that an MRI is not available at the hospital, and no transport is provided to take the patients to another MRI facility at Aundh. Even the civil surgeon is not always available at the hospital,' claimed health activist, Sharad Shetty. On his part, Jaipal Ravat, who manages the unit at ADH, said, 'The process to install a new MRI machine at ADH is underway and the issue will be resolved in a month. There was no stipulated time period given by the government in writing to us. Some costing issues related to MRI services are pending with the government, and the decision is yet to be taken.'
Hindustan Times
13-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Warning letter issued to Aundh District Hospital over lapses during surprise inspection by health dept
The Pune district civil surgeon has issued a stern warning letter to Aundh District Hospital (ADH) staff after several lapses were found during a surprise inspection conducted by the health department. The hospital staff have been warned of severe disciplinary action and pay cuts in case of violation of rules, said officials. According to the officials, the deputy director of health services, Dr Radhakishan Pawar conducted a surprise visit to inspect healthcare services at the ADH on May 30. During the visit, Dr Pawar expressed displeasure regarding the condition of the hospital wards and toilets. The wards and toilets were reportedly found filthy despite a large number of staff working at the hospital. Besides, the staff on duty were not in uniform and were absconding during duty hours. Following this, Dr Nagnath Yempalay, Pune district civil surgeon, on June 10 issued a warning letter stating strict disciplinary action and a pay cut against errant staff found at fault. The ADH staff have been ordered to mark attendance using the Aadhar-based biometric face machine. In case of failure, no salaries will be paid, read the letter. Dr Yempalay, said, 'The sanitation staff have been asked to make sure the toilets and wards are cleaned daily by the respective staff. If they are found unclean, the salary for that day will not be paid to the concerned employee. Additionally, class IV employees who do not wear the uniform while on duty daily will not be paid the washing allowance in their salary from May 2025 onwards.' Dr Pawar, said, during the inspection, several staff were not in uniform and were without ID cards, which confused if they were staff or visitors to the hospital. 'Orders have been given to take strict action,' he said.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Conway closes Beaverfork Lake public swim beach for contamination
CONWAY, Ark. – A popular spot for swimmers to cool off in the Conway area has been closed due to contamination. Conway city officials said the Beaverfork Lake Park public swim beach is closed due to elevated levels of E. coli. Officials added that access to boating and fishing remains open. RFK Jr. goes swimming in DC's Rock Creek despite ban over bacteria According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), E. coli levels higher than 126 per 100 ml. sample require daily sampling until levels drop. ADH reported that Canada geese using a swim beach for grazing are a frequent cause of rising E. coli levels. Feeding geese can make the situation worse by keeping the birds attracted to the area, officials said. Feral swine can also be a factor, as can humans or other animals, ADH officials said. RFK Jr. goes swimming in DC's Rock Creek despite ban over bacteria According to ADH, the only other swim beach closed in the state is Waveland Swim Beach in northwest Arkansas. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Pune district gets its first geriatric unit with OPD services & 10 beds for elderly care
In a first-of-its-kind initiative of the public health department, a dedicated geriatric unit for the elderly has been set up at Aundh District Hospital (ADH), Pune, which is scheduled to be inaugurated next month. This is the only centre in Pune district developed under the National Programme for Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE), a ministry of health and family welfare (MoHFW) scheme for provision of comprehensive healthcare services to the elderly, officials said. According to officials, the unit has been developed within the district hospital campus. The work is at the end-stage and currently, minor electrical work and painting is in progress. The unit will have a geriatric clinic with regular dedicated outpatient department (OPD) services for the elderly and a 10-bed geriatric ward for in-patient care. Facilities will be made available for laboratory investigations for the diagnosis and provision of medicines for geriatric medical and health problems. Existing specialties such as General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Ophthalmology and ENT among others will be provided. The health department is also in talks with private organisation/s to set up additional services at the unit, free-of-cost, officials said. The geriatric unit will provide services to elderly patients referred by primary health centres and similar facilities in the district. Besides, health camps for geriatric patients will be held by the unit in the district. Dr Nagnath Yempalle, Pune district civil surgeon and head of ADH, said that in the past few years, there has been a rise in the number and proportion of the geriatric population. 'The unit has been developed as per the directions of the MoHFW to provide a comprehensive health care setup completely dedicated to the elderly. The services are designed to provide preventive, curative and rehabilitative services to geriatric patients,' he said. Dr Yempalle further said that the unit is the need of the hour considering the surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and social care required by the elderly. 'Disabilities due to NCDs are common in the elderly, which affect mobility, compromising the ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Besides, we will soon write to the director's office requesting additional dedicated staff for the unit,' he said.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Arkansas Department of Health releases potential measles exposure locations as cases grow
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is reporting two additional measles cases in the state. The ADH is reporting both cases were in Faulkner County in May, one to an adult and one to a child, both of whom were exposed to others. Officials said both individuals were vaccinated, but the child only had one of the two required vaccinations. Arkansas confirms fourth measles case, first community spread in the state in 2025 On May 1, there were two exposures: Ed's Supply at 240 Exchange from 9:30 a.m. to noon and Kum & Go at 250 Dave Ward Drive from 12:30 to 3 p.m. The second exposure was on May 5 at Central Arkansas Pediatrics from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All locations are in Conway. This marks the fifth and sixth measles cases in the state. ADH advises that people exposed to measles typically develop symptoms up to 21 days after exposure. North Dakota is 11th US state with a measles outbreak. Here's what to know Monitoring for symptoms is especially critical for people who have not been vaccinated, officials said, with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that usually starts along the hair and face and spreads downward over the body. The agency continues to advise that if someone was at one of these locations during the exposure window and developed symptoms, they should immediately contact their health care provider by phone to prevent additional exposure. If they do not have a provider, call their nearest hospital emergency department and explain that they may have been exposed to measles and are now experiencing symptoms. Measles jumps borders in North America with outbreaks in Canada, Mexico and US The Centers for Disease Control has measles vaccination information on its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
