KEM Or King Edward Memorial Hospital, I had always heard of this place. It is attached to GS medical college. Correct me if I am wrong. The place from where our country receives some of its best Doctors. This is a government hospital.
In another review, Mr Zaid mentioned about what a good job they are doing out there. Helpful staff etc. That could be since he went there with ’contacts’; Let me tell you my experience.
My maternal uncle was admitted there recently. He was admitted, first into the ICCU ( located 4th floor, new building). Generally, as a rule, no one is admitted into the ICCU (Intensive Cardiac Care Unit). But here, the pre-condition is that, one relative is required round the clock in the ICCU ( I can see some of ur eyes popping out).
The ’’Friendly staff’’ does its work in an organised manner. The nurses come at regular intervals, read the charts, and then tell you what medicines to be fed to the admitted relative. ( yes, you have to do the same). If insulin is to be given, you have to fetch the same from the fridge. If an IV needs to be given, u have to fetch the stand. If you are old and helpless, its your problem. you have to fetch the same. Ofcourse, all these instructions are given brusquely, rudely. (perhaps they feel it is polite to speak harshly).
The ward boys n ladies are another friendly breed. When women looking after bedridden men, ask for assistance during passing of stools etc, the friendly neighbourhood ward persons, promptly ( without a darn smile on their lips) handover the pan to you. There! Isn’t this great! Wow - 1st class service.
There is more of these good services. Since I was there for a couple of nights n noons, I got to see more n more ’’friendly services’’.
My uncle had to be taken to a CT scan. since time was 10.45 pm ( 22.45hrs), my ward boy told me to hurry popping my uncle into the wheel chair, and had me rush my uncle to the old building, and left me there high n dry, since his shift ended at 11 pm. Then I was asked to rush back to the ICCU to get some chit within 10 mins failing which, my appointment would be rescheduled for 2 am. Hallelujah! huh for the service provided.
Comes morning ( the wee hours-around 5 am, one has hardly had a wink - I am talking about the patients), when some new ward folks come , rousing every relative, informing them of hot water . What for u may ask.? Well, to sponge off ur relatives, what else? Hey though, isn’t this the work of these ward boys or nurses, you ask? Are u crazy man? If they do all this when do they chat/sleep etc.This place is perfect. You also have a couple of rats to keep u company at night in the ICCU, just so you dont feel lonely.
Then the Doctors come for their rounds. Friendly cusses these too. They chat quite well. Hey, they have brought the ECG machine. Well, what do you know, these guys are doing everything themselves. Hah! goody! here come the professionals. You can now go get yourself some coffee you think. Yeah Right! who will remove the goo from the patient after the test? Thats also what you are here for.
Around 8 am, when you hand over the reigns to the person who has come to replace you ( after a sleepless, tired night you have to go to work - fresh from a friendly haven). Is everything fine now? Yes it is. But hey, the reports have to be brought. Who gets them from the other building? the older lady who has replaced your watch. Then you have to get the report acknowledged by a Doc. How do u do that? Well, u run around in circles , rather u hop from floor to floor, hoping for the best.
And if a visiting relative happens to faint etc, the relatives will lend a hand. If there is a nurse around , she will comment ’’ whats this? no one is picking the person up’’ and walk off.
Friends! Keep praying, u don’t have to put anyone in any hospital. Its a vicious circle. More so, hope no one is brought here. The only thing pro to this place is the cost factor, and the equipment. It is not too hard on the pocket. Other than that this place is a nightmare.
For once, in this place you feel like cursing the unions and the safety it offers these uncouth employees.