BANGALORE: Srirampuram Referral Maternity Home was a haven for pregnant women from economically weaker sections in Dayanandanagar and other areas.The 100-bed maternity home, maintained by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) had catered to the needs of women by providing ante and postnatal care free of cost.But the maternity home has been closed for admissions for the last three years.The doctors who were working at this hospital have been transferred to another BBMP hospital in Rajajinagar.As of now, the activities of the hospital are restricted to conducting immunisation programmes, and a gynaecologist visits the hospital once in a week.With the BBMP authorities shutting the hospital for ante and postnatal care, pregnant women and mothers with their newborn babies have to go all the way to the other BBMP Hospital in Rajajinagar or avail treatment in private hospitals by paying a huge fee.“We were very happy with the facilities available at this hospital for many years.The BBMP authorities closed this hospital two years ago.It would be great help for women from poor families if the BBMP authorities take up measures to re-open it as early as possible,” says N Lakshmi, a housewife living in Dayanandanagar.One can see women with their babies waiting at this hospital for vaccination as part of the immunisation programme.“We refer patients to the BBMP Hospital at Rajajinagar,” says one of the nurses.The foundation stone of this maternity home was laid on November 20, 1960 by the then deputy minister for home, B Basavalingappa.It was inaugurated on September 2, 1963 by the then health minister Dr Nagappa Alva and the function was presided by the then union health minister Dr Susheela Nair.Thousands of women have benefited from this hospital for more than 40 years.Meanwhile, Dr Gayathri, chief medical officer, BBMP, has made it clear that she is ready to depute doctors to treat women at the maternity home provided the completion of its renovation work.“Our doctors will attend to the patients as soon as the hospital is reopened after completing the renovation or repair work,” said Dr Gayathri.However, Shakeela Muniraju, corporator, Dayanandanagar, has said that the hospital has been closed for the last three years.“It was closed before the BBMP elections.We have prepared an estimation to upgrade this small hospital to a 200-bed hospital.At present it has the capacity to accommodate 100 beds.If the BBMP sanctions a minimum of `5 crore, the existing building can be demolished to make way for the new building.It all depends on how soon the BBMP sanctions the money,” Women waiting with their babies for vaccination| SUDHAKAR JAIN said Shakeela Muniraju.
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