Dear Sir/Madam,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to share my deeply concerning experience at Sankara Nethralaya, Nungambakkam, Chennai, which has left me disillusioned with the services offered by what is purportedly the top-ranked eye hospital in India.
I visited the hospital with my elderly mother for eye treatment, having registered online with the expectation of a smooth and efficient process. However, from the very beginning, the experience was marred by multiple issues, both with the hospital’s administration and the behavior of staff members.
1. Parking Issues: Upon arrival, I encountered problems with the parking facilities. The hospital’s security guards, employed by a private company, were unprofessional and rude. Despite the parking lot being nearly empty, I was told to park outside the premises and pay extra charges to park inside. This lack of courtesy and professionalism was entirely uncalled for.
2. Long Waiting Times: Even though we had completed the online registration, we were asked to fill out paper forms again upon arrival. After doing so, we were made to wait for an excessive 3 hours without any updates. When I inquired about the delay, the ground staff’s response was unhelpful and rude. Their attitude was dismissive and unaccommodating. Despite having an appointment and a specific time slot, we were left to wait unnecessarily.
3. Unprofessional Behavior of Staff: The ground staff’s behavior was extremely rude and unprofessional. They gave no regard for my elderly mother, who was waiting in discomfort for several hours. When we expressed our concerns, the staff insisted that we wait or leave the premises. It was as though the hospital’s priority was not the well-being of patients, but rather enforcing a bureaucratic system that hindered timely medical attention.
4. Unacceptable Delays and Lack of Compassion: After waiting for 5 hours, my 74-year-old mother, who had not eaten since the morning, could not bear the prolonged delay any longer. We were forced to leave the hospital without receiving treatment. It was incredibly disheartening to realize that, despite having a scheduled appointment, we were treated with such disregard.
5. Contrast with Apollo Hospital: In stark contrast, we immediately contacted Apollo Hospital and received swift and efficient service. My mother’s eye surgery was completed within just 2 hours, demonstrating that patient care can be delivered in a timely and professional manner.
Conclusion: It is deeply troubling to witness such poor management and lack of professionalism at a hospital that claims to be one of the best in India. The entire experience was disheartening, and I regret choosing Sankara Nethralaya for my mother’s treatment. In my opinion, this hospital has lost sight of its duty to provide compassionate and timely care. Instead, it operates with a monopolistic attitude, prioritizing money over the well-being of its patients.
I would strongly advise anyone considering this hospital to carefully read reviews and consider alternative options. My experience with Sankara Nethralaya has been utterly disappointing, and I hope this message will help others avoid the same distressing experience.
Sincerely,