Amid concerns over LPG and fuel supplies, government hospitals in the State have been instructed to take precautionary measures. Hospitals have been asked to tweak patient meal plans by preparing diets that require shorter cooking times, while ensuring that nutritional needs are met. They were also advised to maintain adequate diesel stocks for generator operations.
According to a health official, there are currently no issues with LPG or other fuel supplies for government health facilities. “We have asked the hospitals to prepare contingency plans – plan A, plan B and plan C. They should prepare alternative diets that require less cooking for patients and medical college students. Since medical colleges and hostels have large spaces, they can also use firewood for cooking. We have also asked them to explore electric appliances for large-scale cooking,” he said.
The institutions were also asked to check if there was any industrial kitchen equipment, such as steam boilers, for possible procurement, he added.
Officials said committees were being constituted to plan patient diets, while discussions would be held with the respective student councils for their meals.
“Department officials have issued instructions that all feasible options should be explored, and that patient admissions should not be affected or restricted in any way. Hospital dietitians have been told to plan menus that require less LPG for cooking. Items such as ‘sundal’ can be avoided and replaced by fruits,” another official said. Hospitals have also been told to look at procuring bakery products prepared by prison inmates in their respective districts.
