About 5.5 lakh senior citizens have benefited from the Ramashray Ward and OPD (Outpatient Department) amenities set up throughout district hospitals, which is a noteworthy advancement for elder care in Rajasthan. These facilities, which opened on March 14 of this year, are made especially to simplify healthcare services for elders while attending to their particular demands and difficulties.
Over 5.14 lakh elderly patients have used the Ramashray Wards’ outpatient services, and over 32,000 have received inpatient care, according to Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, who emphasized the initiative’s success. The creation of these wards demonstrates a humanitarian strategy meant to enhance senior citizens’ healthcare experiences. Seniors should no longer have to navigate different areas, wait in line for extended periods of time, or deal with other hassles. Alternatively, individuals have access to a single location for all-inclusive diagnostic and treatment services.
The 100-day action plan of the Rajasthani government includes the Ramashray Wards and is aimed at meeting the unique requirements of senior citizens. These specialist wards were created because regular hospital settings frequently cause discomfort for older patients, according to Shubhra Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department. By offering specialized care and services, the new facilities aim to mitigate these problems.
Ten Fowler beds, five for men and five for women, are provided in each Ramashray Ward. The beds are separated for privacy by curtains and barriers. Nursing alarm systems are installed in the wards to guarantee that patients receive help quickly in an emergency. In addition, grab bars are installed in the separate patient restrooms for males and females for safety, and physiotherapy tools such transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators, ultrasound therapy, short wave diathermy, and cervical and pelvic traction are accessible. There are also necessary things like medicine cabinets, wheelchairs, and carts available.
The wards are managed by a nodal officer and supported by dedicated nursing staff and cleanliness personnel. Contact information for doctors, nursing staff, physiotherapists, and other relevant personnel is prominently displayed outside each ward.
Geriatric clinics have been set up in government district and sub-district hospitals to provide OPD services to senior patients in addition to inpatient care. To shorten wait times and make treatment more accessible, special arrangements have been created at medicine distribution centers, registration stations, and inquiry counters.
All things considered, the Ramashray Wards and geriatric clinics mark a significant development in Rajasthan’s elder care sector, indicating a dedication to raising the standard of medical care provided to elderly residents and meeting their unique requirements in a more thorough and humane way.
SOURCE :
THE PRINT
