Akhilesh disbands hospital at UP CM's residence

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In yet another gesture to project a people-friendly image, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav has disbanded a special hospital set up at the chief minister’s residence at 5, Kalidas Marg by his predecessor Mayawati.

The hospital at the chief minister’s residence was set up in 2008 with one superintendent, ten doctors and over 20 para-medical staff. Four ambulances were kept at standby at the hospital that was equipped with modern machines and medical equipment.

The doctors included a cardiologist, physician and surgeon and they were kept on a 24-hour duty.

The hospital was used, as and when needed, by the chief minister - which was rare - and incurred an expenditure of Rs 2.5 crore per year.

Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav recently inspected the hospital and told officials that there was no need for an elaborate medical arrangement at the chief minister’s residence when hospitals were near at hand.

He asked officials to post all the doctors and para-medical staff elsewhere and deploy the ambulance in hospitals so that they could be used by the common man.

Henceforth, only one physician and one ambulance will remain deployed at the chief minister’s residence.

“For almost four years, we sat twiddling our thumbs because there was nothing to do at 5, Kalidas Marg. It can be frustrating for a professional but we sat there merely to complete our duty hours. We are happy to be returning to a working hospital now,” said a doctor posted at the hospital.