Power Outages Plunge Andhra Pradesh Hospitals into Darkness: Doctors Treat Patients Under Mobile Phone Torchlight
Power shortages in Andhra Pradesh have left hospitals in darkness, forcing doctors to treat patients under the illumination of mobile phone torchlights. Visuals of medical staff treating injured patients in Parvatipuram’s government hospital have gone viral, shedding light on the dire situation caused by frequent power cuts in the state. Lack of power backup in many government health facilities exacerbates the problem.
In a recent incident, eight injured individuals were brought to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Kurupam after a road accident. However, due to a power outage, doctors had no choice but to provide treatment using the flashlight from their mobile phones. Unfortunately, this PHC, like many others, lacks power backup, leaving medical staff to rely on alternative light sources.
The power situation in Punjab is pathetic, but it’s worse in #AndhraPradesh. Accident victims in Parvatipuram, Manyam dist being treated under phone flashlight pic.twitter.com/wQI2p7nRNc
— Naveen S Garewal (@naveengarewal) September 3, 2023
Leader of the opposition, N. Chandrababu Naidu, criticized the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government for the electricity shortage, expressing dismay at the situation unfolding in Kurupam. Naidu highlighted that power cuts are causing immense suffering across various sectors in Andhra Pradesh, including households, agriculture, and industry. He further stated that people have taken to the streets in protest against the persistent electricity shortages, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Horrified by the scenes unfolding in Kurupam, where doctors are forced to provide treatment to a patient under flashlights during a power outage. Power cuts are causing immense suffering across various sectors in Andhra Pradesh, including households, agriculture, and industry. pic.twitter.com/SCOx3aSIRx
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) September 2, 2023
The incident in Kurupam is not an isolated case. Similar scenes were witnessed at Salur’s Area Hospital in the same district, where a power cut during a thunderstorm left the hospital in darkness. Patients faced severe inconvenience, and medical staff had to provide emergency treatment using their mobile phone torchlights.
Authorities in several parts of the state have been resorting to unscheduled power cuts due to increased demand caused by a long dry spell. At a recent review meeting, officials informed Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy that the demand for electricity has risen by 18% compared to the previous year, mainly due to the dry spell. The power crisis, which originated during the summer, affected all sectors, from domestic households to agriculture and industry, due to a significant gap between demand and supply.
The situation became even worse due to a delayed monsoon and a prolonged dry spell in July and August. To maintain power supply, the government is spending a considerable amount to procure power at a higher price of Rs 7.52 per unit. From March to August, the state government purchased 44.25 million units daily, amounting to a total expenditure of Rs 2,935 crore. Despite these efforts, power shortages continue to plague the state.
Andhra Pradesh residents are enduring frequent blackouts, and the healthcare sector is particularly affected. The lack of power backup in government hospitals puts patients’ lives at risk and places an additional burden on medical staff who must work under challenging conditions. It is crucial for the government to address the electricity shortage and implement measures to mitigate power outages, ensuring the welfare and safety of the people of Andhra Pradesh.
