Escorts Heart Institute-Declining?
Posted : October 20, 2009 at 11:54 am [IST]
We went to Escorts rather Fortis Escorts yesterday for my comprehensive cardiac check up. This was after almost three and a half years. Left to me I would have never gone there. But Shannon kept on insisting from US, and I had to fix it. We were there by 7.45AM well in time for 8AM. I was shocked to find none on counter. Two-three patients were just waiting. On enquiry, the security man told, they would be there in fifteen twenty minutes. Just three years ago, it was not like that. The whole of the OPD used to be brimming over with patients and their companions by 8AM and the employees at desk much ahead of the schedule time.
The gentleman next to me was also grumbling and repenting about the deterioration. The other person spoke about the rationalization or manpower reduction after Fortis took over. And it was clear at every point of check up and its lobby. Surprisingly, when we went to the canteen after giving my blood for breakfast for the blood sugar test after 2 hours, there was none there. Once I complained to the front desk and asked if I could take some biscuits and snacks that I had taken with me, she readily agreed. And I thanked Yamuna who was smart to bring the stuff.
And as I kept on waiting for completing my check up routine, we found and realized very few patients visiting the Escorts’ OPD. As confirmed by some, the number of patients has reduced to 10-15% compared to earlier daily figure. After my surgery in Escorts in 2000 in Dr. Naresh Trehan’s days, we have visited this place at least 6-7 times; we never found it so desolate. There used to be crowd of patients right up to the time we used to leave the place after completing my tests.
Years ago, Nanda sold it to Fortis against the wishes of Dr. Trehan. After some years, Trehan had to leave Escorts, as Fortis CEO wanted to run it in its own way, perhaps as business.
Yesterday, first I thought the number of patients is less as many other equally good facilities have come up in Delhi and NCR. But it is not that. Escorts is not attracting that many patients as it did in the days of Dr. Trehan. And it is certainly on decline.
- Indra
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