The city’s poorest of the poor face much hardship in the thinly staffed BBMP-run referral hospitals and maternity homes.

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The Palike maintains six referral hospitals and 18 maternity homes most of which face shortage of gynaecologists and nurses. The sanctioned strength of gynaecologists in six referral hospitals is 17. But only six gynaecologists are working. The remaining 11 posts have been vacant for years. Similarly, the sanctioned strength of nurses in these hospitals is 21. But only nine nurses are employed. The authorities have not filled up the remaining 12 vacancies.

 Dr Geetha Shivakumar, chairman of the standing committee on health, said the BBMP is recruiting retired gynaecologists on contract to address the shortage of gynaecologists.

"Interviews were conducted for 35 retired gynaecologists to serve at BBMP hospitals. At least 15 gynaecologists  have reported for duty while others have sought more time," she said.

The scene is equally grim in maternity homes. Posts of 52 auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) remain vacant in 18 homes against the sanctioned strength of 76. Only 24 ANMs are working in these homes. ANMs play a key role in creating awareness among pregnant women on the availability of health services.

The referral hospital in Srirampura remains closed for more than three years and this is causing lot of inconvenience for pregnant women in and around Srirampura.

However, there is some hope. On April 18, minister for urban development S Suresh Kumar and corporator of Dayananda Nagar ward Shakeela Muniraju inaugurated the `1 crore developmental works at the hospital.

“We want the contractor to complete the work as early as possible for the benefit of women in and around Srirampura. As of now, pregnant women have to go to the BBMP hospital in Rajajinagar for checkup and treatment,’’ said Shakeela.

The maternity home in Pottery Town is in the pits. The dilapidated building speaks volumes about the negligence of authorities.

“I was born in this hospital. It was very helpful for pregnant women from nearby areas. Now we have to go to Shivajinagar or Cox Town,’’ said Shamanna, a resident of Pottery Town.

The referral hospital at Munireddy Palya also needs immediate attention of the civic authorities. This hospital is poorly staffed and equipped.