DTMT Network
Hyderabad’s Osmania General Hospital (OGH) has launched Bed Side Assistance service for unattended, abandoned patients and senior citizens. The service has been launched in association with Helping Hand Foundation (HHI). It has 20 Arogya Dhoots trained in basic home care and bed side care.

These Arogya Dhoots also serve in, OGH, MNJ Cancer Hospital, Government Maternity Hospital and Petlaburj hospital.

The Arogya Dhoots provide services in IP wards including feeding, bed making, face washing, nail care, scalp and hair care, body bathing, wound cleaning and dressing. Diapers, nighties, shirts, walkers and other necessary items are being provided by HHF to needy patients at OGH.

The initiative has been taken under Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas (MEPMA) by the Department of Municipal Administration, Telangana Society.

With 70 to 80% of the inpatients hailing from weaker sections and mostly daily wagers, bed side assistance always remained a challenge, more so for elderly men and women in state run hospitals.

The Arogya Dhoots lend support in three areas, namely, the minor OT where daily 60 – 75 patients are treated for wounds, injuries, cellulitis, gangrene foot and ulcers and other post surgical wards in OGH where the patients need to be provided bed side care.

Dr. B. Nagender, Suprintendent, said that such personalized care for elderly patients is being provided for the first time and called it a gratifying experience for the hospital, patients and the care givers.

Mr. Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation said: “We are attending to 20 - 25 patients without attenders per day and such peronalyzed care is akin to what the matured health care systems like the NHS of UK and others provide to their senior citizens.