Yet another resident doctor of BYL Nair Hospital has been afflicted with the dreaded tuberculosis. According to sources in the hospital, the 25-year-old resident doctor is attached to the medicine department, and must have contracted the disease from patients.
"The doctor was diagnosed with pleural effusion, a condition in which excess fluid builds around the lungs. He underwent a procedure where the fluid was drained out. He is presently on treatment and on leave," said a senior doctor in the chest medicine department of Nair Hospital.
This is the second reported case of tuberculosis among resident doctors in this hospital. In January this year, a 27-year-old resident doctor in the microbiology department underwent anti-tuberculosis treatment.
A resident doctor attached to the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) in Nair Hospital said: "In Nair Hospital there are major problems that contribute to its health workers becoming prone to TB and other infectious diseases. Unclean premises is one of the many factors. Compared to KEM Hospital-Parel and LTMG Sion Hospital, we have less workload and patients' flow. But we are not able to maintain cleanliness!"
Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean, Nair Hospital, said: "We have started high protein diet for our medical staff. TB affects those with low immunity." He also refuted allegations of unclean surroundings, and claimed it was at present one of the cleanest hospitals in the corporation. "Nair is one of the cleanest public hospitals. On an average, we see 400 outdoor patients and admit 1,200 patients daily," said Dr Bharmal.
Unlike Nair Hospital, KEM Hospital-Parel and LTMG Sion Hospital haven't reported any new case of TB among its resident doctors. According to figures available with MARD, three resident doctors of Sion Hospital and six interns are at present undergoing treatment for TB.
MARD has been at loggerhead with the hospital administration regarding irrational doctor-patient ratio, which is making them work long hours in unhealthy working conditions. MARD has been complaining regularly about doctors getting afflicted with malaria, dengue and TB.
"In KEM Hospital, it's common to see resident doctors contracting malaria. In the last four months, no fogging has taken place," said a MARD representative.
Two resident doctors of Nair Hospital are at present being treated for dengue in its intensive care unit. Three of its resident doctors have just recovered from dengue. Dr Bharmal said: "The two doctors on treatment are out of danger. We do regular fogging and screen the entire premises for mosquito-breeding spots."
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