It is true that this section of medicine covers some of the most common ailments in our society, heart and lung disease and we are always grateful for the expertise of the surgeons who help us but imagine if you lived in New Delhi. The Times of India reported that patients hoping to get surgeries done at Delhi's two premier government-run speciality hospitals may have to wait for a period ranging between six months and three years.
While the general surgery department has a minimum waiting period of three to five months, in gastro-intestinal surgery the wait is from six months to one year. The longest waiting period is in the neurosurgery department — 18 months to three years. All major departments — general surgery, gastro-intestinal, paediatrics, orthopaedics, nephrology, cardiac and neuro
According to data provided by the hospital,about 329 surgeries are performed every day, adding up to about 1,20,000 a year.
In cardiac surgery the waiting period is six months to one year, in orthopaedics about one year.
The cardio-thoracic department has seven surgeons as against an establishment of 12. A doctor said, "We conduct nearly 3500 surgeries a year. Shortage of doctors and hospitals to cater to the patient load in the city besides inadequate infrastructure contribute to this patient load."
What a terrible situation and for those poor patients having to take their chances while they wait for a year for surgery, well it must be horrible, wondering if every day might be your last. We in the West should count our blessings.
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