Varanasi, May 29, 2025 — Sir Sunderlal Hospital, the primary healthcare facility of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), is grappling with a series of challenges that are severely impacting patient care. Despite being under the purview of the Modi-Yogi administration, issues such as staff misconduct, inadequate security, and systemic mismanagement continue to plague the institution.
Staff Misconduct and Security Lapses
Recent incidents have highlighted alarming behavior by hospital staff. A female resident doctor was harassed by a patient’s attendant during her night shift in the maternal and child health wing. Despite raising an alarm, no security personnel responded, underscoring the lack of adequate safety measures for medical professionals.
In another disturbing event, three individuals were found impersonating MBBS interns, performing duties without proper qualifications. This breach not only compromises patient safety but also raises serious questions about the hospital’s oversight mechanisms.
Overburdened Staff and Tragic Consequences
The hospital’s staffing issues have reached critical levels. Nursing staff have protested against excessive workloads, with reports indicating that a single nurse is often responsible for up to 17 patients. This overwhelming burden led to the tragic death of 29-year-old nurse Khemchand Saini, who suffered a fatal heart attack during his shift.
Resident doctors have also expressed their grievances. Following an attack on a junior doctor by a patient’s attendants, a strike was initiated, leaving thousands of patients without care and highlighting the strained relations between hospital staff and administration.
Systemic Mismanagement and Financial Irregularities
Beyond personnel issues, the hospital faces deep-rooted mismanagement. It has been revealed that BHU Hospital violated procurement regulations by purchasing medicines worth crores from private companies without following proper procedures. Additionally, the hospital continued to pay a company for IT services without a valid contract, leading to financial irregularities worth several crores.
Calls for Accountability
These incidents have sparked widespread concern among patients and their families, who rely on BHU Hospital for affordable healthcare. Despite the Modi-Yogi government’s repeated emphasis on improving healthcare infrastructure, the situation at BHU Hospital reveals a serious gap between policy announcements and ground-level execution.
There is an urgent need for the administration to step in and restore order. Ensuring staff accountability, enhancing security measures, and correcting internal mismanagement are crucial steps if BHU Hospital is to regain public trust and fulfill its role as a premier public health institution.
