Jamshedpur: A severe LPG cylinder shortage has reached the kitchens of Jamshedpur’s major government hospitals, threatening the daily meal services for hundreds of patients. While Sadar Hospital in Parsudih faces a total stock-out after Friday, MGM Hospital has only four days of gas remaining.
Sadar Hospital: Transition to Coal Stoves?
At the Khasmahal-based Sadar Hospital, the situation is critical. The kitchen prepares food for 120–130 patients daily, requiring nearly two cylinders every 24 hours.
- Current Status: The supply agency has expressed an inability to deliver new stock.
- Contingency Plan: Management is preparing to use traditional coal stoves. However, staff warn that cooking for 150 people on coal will be difficult and may affect both food quality and timing.
MGM Hospital: Menu Changes Looming
As the lifeline of Kolhan, MGM Hospital feeds 550 patients daily, consuming 8 to 9 cylinders every day.
- Diabetes Concerns: Management is considering replacing rotis with rice to save gas, though this poses a challenge for diabetic patients who require specific diets.
- Emergency Meeting: Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jujhar Majhi met with Dietician Anu Sinha to review stocks. While the agency promised supplies by late March, the hospital remains on high alert.
The Contrast: Tata Motors Hospital
In contrast, private facilities like Tata Motors Hospital remain unaffected. By utilizing modern electric cooking machinery, the hospital and its 13 canteens continue to serve 15,000 employees and patients daily without relying on LPG.
Official Stance: Civil Surgeon Dr. Sahir Pal confirmed that the department is working on alternative arrangements to ensure patients do not go hungry.
