Sewri Hospital, one of the biggest TB hospitals in Asia with 1,000 beds, does not have a single anaesthetist in the hospital. For every major thoracic surgery, the hospital calls anaesthetists from KEM, Nair or Sion Hospital. Often, surgeries get delayed due to this process, putting patients’ lives at risk.
In 2015, 41 super major thoracic surgeries were performed in the hospital; and in all the surgeries, anaesthetists were called from other hospitals. Due to this nine surgeries got delayed as patients had to wait because of an anaesthetist.
Due to the fear of infection from tuberculosis patients, anaesthetists refuse to work on a full-time basis. According to data gathered from the hospital, there are three sanctioned posts for full-time anaesthetists that have been lying vacant since 2013.
In 2015, around 1,600 emergency surgeries were performed in the hospital. But in such cases the presence of an anaesthetist is not compulsory. However, in cases of thoracic surgeries, it is compulsory, stated a doctor from the hospital.
“In serious surgeries like removal of a part of a lung, we need anaesthetists, or else it becomes impossible to conduct them,” said a doctor.
In October, 2015, there was one bonded doctor from the anaesthetic department, but after his contract expired no fresh recruitment has been done. “In fact, the anaesthesia machine is also not functioning properly. Many a time, anaesthetists refuse to come from other hospitals that further delays the surgeries and the list remains piling up,” said another doctor.
Dr Rajendra Nanavare, superintendent of the hospital said that bringing anaesthetists from other hospitals has become the last resort, as no one is interested in working. “We are in the process of recruiting and have also published advertisements about the posts. But not many doctors agree to work here because of the fear of infection,” he added.
A study conducted by doctors found out that between 2011 and 2015, 65 workers acquired TB during while working in the hospital.
