<p>Minto Hospital, which is already reeling under severe staff crunch, has one more worry.</p>.<p>As many as 28 essential staff from the hospital’s 54-strong staff have now been deputed for the upcoming Lok Sabha election duty, despite the Hospital writing to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) seeking exemption from election duty.</p>.<p>Opthalmetrist, ophthalmic assistant, lab technician, senior staff members have been deployed for poll duty. “Although rules have been relaxed for 13 staff members, the remaining 15 are crucial for the smooth functioning of the hospital,” said Dr B L Sujatha Rathod, director of the hospital.</p>.<p>“We had written to the CEO-Karnataka stating that the hospital is having severe staff crunch and cannot depute the existing members for election duty. Despite that few members were deputed. Each and every staff member is crucial for the functioning of various specialities in the hospital,” she added.</p>.<p>“Like for instance, the retina section is taken care by the one ophthalmic assistant, and if he is not around OPD patients having issues with retina are affected. About 300 patients visit for retina treatment,” she added.</p>.<p>Dr Sujatha said that 800 OPD patients visit Minto Hospital every day and about 30 to 40 cataract procedures are performed.</p>.<p>She rued the fact that the hospital never functioned with full strength since its inception. And now, despite having vacancies, they are usually filled with contract employees on whom the hospital cannot depend upon.</p>.<p>She said the sanctioned strength for Group D workers is 74, but till date the hospital is managing with 10 workers. </p>.<p>“Hospital has treatment for blepharoplasty (correcting the deformities of the eye lid), squint and now working on rehabilitation of incurable blindness. If staff members are not recruited on time, the it will become very difficult for the hospital to function,” Dr Sujatha added.</p>
<p>Minto Hospital, which is already reeling under severe staff crunch, has one more worry.</p>.<p>As many as 28 essential staff from the hospital’s 54-strong staff have now been deputed for the upcoming Lok Sabha election duty, despite the Hospital writing to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) seeking exemption from election duty.</p>.<p>Opthalmetrist, ophthalmic assistant, lab technician, senior staff members have been deployed for poll duty. “Although rules have been relaxed for 13 staff members, the remaining 15 are crucial for the smooth functioning of the hospital,” said Dr B L Sujatha Rathod, director of the hospital.</p>.<p>“We had written to the CEO-Karnataka stating that the hospital is having severe staff crunch and cannot depute the existing members for election duty. Despite that few members were deputed. Each and every staff member is crucial for the functioning of various specialities in the hospital,” she added.</p>.<p>“Like for instance, the retina section is taken care by the one ophthalmic assistant, and if he is not around OPD patients having issues with retina are affected. About 300 patients visit for retina treatment,” she added.</p>.<p>Dr Sujatha said that 800 OPD patients visit Minto Hospital every day and about 30 to 40 cataract procedures are performed.</p>.<p>She rued the fact that the hospital never functioned with full strength since its inception. And now, despite having vacancies, they are usually filled with contract employees on whom the hospital cannot depend upon.</p>.<p>She said the sanctioned strength for Group D workers is 74, but till date the hospital is managing with 10 workers. </p>.<p>“Hospital has treatment for blepharoplasty (correcting the deformities of the eye lid), squint and now working on rehabilitation of incurable blindness. If staff members are not recruited on time, the it will become very difficult for the hospital to function,” Dr Sujatha added.</p>