Politicians are a bunch of opportunists waiting for untoward incidents to score brownie points. This was witnessed during the recent Thane massacre, where the lone survivor admitted to Intensive Critical Care Unit (ICCU) was used for gaining political mileage.
Subiya Bharmar, 22, admitted to the ICCU of Thane's Titan Hospital was on Sunday visited by guardian minister Eknath Shinde along with his followers, causing inconvenience not only to her but to other patients admitted in the same ward.
The ICCU is a sensitive area where the number of visitors is kept to the minimum to avoid infection to the patients. However, the hospital authorities made an exception in this case for the Shiv Sena leader. A police constable posted outside the ICCU, to ensure that only one family member is allowed to meet the patient, also failed to do his job.
"In hospitals abroad, no person is allowed to enter the ICCU ward as it has to be infection free. Other patients are at constant risk of developing infection. Even family members are not allowed to enter the ICCU," said Dr Sunil Joshi, CEO Alliance Hospital.
The family members of other patients were also angry with Shinde's visit and hospital's approach. "My brother is critical and needs rest. After Subiya was admitted to the hospital, there has been a long queue of visitors that is disturbing other patients. Hospital authorities have been careless with their approach," said a kin of the patient.
"Politicians do not think twice before meeting victims even if they are not in a condition to talk. All they care about is political mileage. Entering the ICCU along with a bunch of his followers and clicking photographs was an unacceptable act," he added.
On being asked about the minister's visit, Dr Abrar Khan, director of Titan hospital, said: "We have denied entry to family members, relatives and mediapersons. The cops are allowed as the probe is on. However, Subiya has been kept in isolation to avoid any complications."
Khan, however, refused to divulge any detail as to why Shiv Sena party workers and Shinde were allowed to enter the ICCU ward.
