RGGGH to restrict visitors to reduce crowd, increase security

Struggling to deal with the more than 20,000 visitors and attendants who accompany patients, the hospital is going to introduce passes for visitors and vehicles to control the swelling crowd. The administration would also introduce visiting hours – three hours in the morning and four in the evening. These would be brought in by the end of the month, officials said. 

Every day, the RGGGH receives more than 12,000 out-patients, 3,000 in-patients and around 12,000 patient attendants. In addition, there are 1,147 outsourced staff and 800 regular staff. “However, once we start issuing passes, not more than one attendant will be allowed to stay with the patient, and one visitor during permitted hours,” said Dr R Jayanthi, dean of the hospital. 

Vehicle entry would also be regulated, allowing only vehicles with parking stickers inside the premises. “We are going to open a parking space at the hospital ground to cut down the parking on the campus,” the dean added. 

Besides introducing passes to check the crowds, security at the hospital will also be beefed up. “Ex-service men will be soon employed to tighten the security. It will enable us to monitor all the activities,” said a doctor from the hospital.  

Despite having a shelter for women that was set up by the Corporation recently and several waiting sheds and visitors’ seating areas, people are found sleeping or simply hanging around in every corner of the hospital. Issuing passes would help the authorities to curtail the crowd milling in the corridors. 

“The men’s shelter will be inaugurated only after three months. Until then, the men will sleep in tower II,” said Dr Jayanthi.