REJOINDER TO “EAT WELL TO GET WELL!”

Letter:
Crosscheck facts to avoid planted stories
This is with reference to the article “Eat Well to get Well!” published in your daily, Sikkim NOW! dated 23 November, 2012. It may kindly be noted that we would be grateful if facts regarding the outsourcing of Diet of the inpatients of STNM and district hospitals are first verified from the HoD and officers concerned before the same is published. The STNM hospital was the first to outsource the diet for inpatients in Sikkim. This was done in April 2011. Tenders were called and strict guidelines were followed regarding the eligibility criteria for award of contract to the present supplier. The tender process for outsourcing of diet to the inpatients of the district hospitals was then carried out and the present suppliers started their work in the month of August. A committee to recommend the extension of the caterers/suppliers was constituted within the department and this committee has been constantly supervising and inspecting the district hospitals and STNM regarding the quality and quantity of food being served to the in patients.
Here, it maybe pertinent to inform you that the District Hospital, Singtam has been under the scanner ever since the award of the contract to the present supplier. They have been constantly found to have not been conforming to the quality of food and quantity served to the in patients. In fact, their contract has been extended for only a three-month period with the clause that they are to strictly adhere to the norms laid down by the Government on the diet to be provided and the quality of the cooking oil etc used for the purpose of preparing the food.
The fact that supplier/ caterer of the District Hospital, Singtam is giving “cow’s milk to patients” shows that they are not adhering to the rules as serving of non pasteurized cows milk is not allowed to patients as it is not sterilized and hence prone to infection.
The statement that they are also the first hospital to implement serving of 150 grams of rice is false and it may be noted here that all other District hospitals including STNM Hospital have been serving 150 grams of rice per meal to every patient. Further an option of serving fish or chicken has been provided in the approved menu rather than the stated fish and meat.
However, it is also to mention here that the quality of food served at the district hospitals and STNM as a whole has improved due to the constant supervision by the officers and staff of the district hospitals and the Committee.
HC, HS &FW Deptt
Govt. of Sikkim,
Gangtok