Pvt hosps sacrifice staff food to keep patients’ supply chain going

Kolkata: Pvt hospitals have started curtailing menu at their cafeterias, canteens and kitchens to get around the LPG shortage. While this affected doctors and staff at some facilities, hospitals said they needed to save LPG to continue serving patients' food, which is a priority.Desun Hospital temporarily restricted its menu to vegetarian and egg-based meals since non-vegetarian preparations generally require more fuel, said CMD Sajal Dutta. "To ensure uninterrupted food service despite limited gas availability, we are also exploring alternatives such as industrial induction cooking systems. But these devices are currently out of stock in most places and are being quoted at prices much higher than the usual rate. But, our F&B dept is making every effort to ensure that patients continue to receive nutritious and balanced meals," Dutta said.A hospital said it has requested its staff and doctors to bring home food. BP Poddar Hospital depends on LPG not only for preparing patient meals but also to run 3 cafeterias that cater to patients' families and staff. "We are keeping a close watch on the daily updates and, as of now, we did not face any shortage. However, if the situation worsens, the preparation of food for patients will remain our foremost priority. In that case, we may have to take a call on curtailing certain items from the cafeteria menu," said Supriyo Chakrabarty, group advisor. At Ruby General Hospital, special measures are on to minimise food wastage even as patients' meals are prioritised. "Our kitchen is run by a vendor which did not yet face any LPG shortage. But we are worried and keeping options open. We are ready to switch to electrical cooking and discussed a menu alteration. But it is not being effected till we get enough fuel," said Ruby chief general manager, operations, Subhasish Datta.The disruption in LPG supply also impacted operations across Kolkata's healthcare facilities that rely heavily on fuel to power backup generators, ambulances and critical medical supply chains that keep ICUs, operation theatres and diagnostic units functional. "We are trying our best to conserve cooking gas as much as possible. We are in the process of switching over to the electric medium. Also, usage time is restricted," said Dr MS Purkait, medical superintendent, Techno India DAMA Hospital.Charnock Hospitals stated that it is closely monitoring the ongoing situation. Woodlands Hospital has shifted to induction cookers and an electrical ‘combi-oven' and has altered its patient menu to include more continental dishes. "We still have enough LPGs, though," said CEO Rupak Barua.