Tetanus injection shortage at PMC-run Sutar Hospital forces patients to buy from private medical stores

Tetanus Shot Shortage Hits Pune Hospital

A recent incident at a hospital in Kothrud, Pune, has highlighted the shortage of tetanus shots in the city's public healthcare system. A 17-year-old boy who visited the hospital after sustaining injuries was told that there was no tetanus injection available for him.

• The boy, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the hospital staff asked him to purchase the injection from a private medical store, which he was unable to afford.
• Civic activist Amol Kale, who was present at the hospital during the incident, stated that around 3-4 patients were asked to purchase the tetanus injection on their own due to the hospital's shortage.

Tetanus injections are a basic requirement for patients with minor injuries, animal bites, or wound infections. The shortage of these injections has left many patients upset and without proper treatment.

The government has stopped providing TT vaccine doses for over two years, and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) now purchases tetanus and diphtheria (TD) vaccines. However, there is a shortage of these vaccines at the hospital, which has resulted in many patients walking away without taking the mandatory tetanus shot.

PMC's Response

Dr. Minal Vaichalkar, medical superintendent of the hospital, stated that there has been a shortage of TD vaccines at the hospital for the past 5 days. She assured that the officials have assured them to supply the stock by Friday.

• The hospital had received a stock of around 200 doses, which was given to the sanitary staff during a drive and subsequently exhausted.
• The hospital also makes local purchases in some cases and provides the vaccine, but this is not possible for every patient.

Explanation from the PMC

Dr. Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer and city immunisation officer, PMC, stated that there is a stock of over 32,000 doses of TD vaccines available at the PMC.

• He informed that the officials of the respective hospitals are required to raise a request with them for the stock, which is then immediately supplied.
• However, the hospital has not received any request from the hospital officials, and Dr. Dighe has promised to look into the issue and take corrective action.

The PMC's inability to provide tetanus shots to patients has led to concerns about the healthcare system's preparedness and the impact on patients' treatment.