Hospitals canteens in Kochi struggling amid LPG crisis

The LPG shortage has impacted the hospital sector too, with some facilities already reducing menu options or restricting food to patients.

Many fear that hospitals may soon be forced to scale back or even suspend certain operations if the situation persists. Nutrition departments in hospitals across the city are also facing increasing operational challenges as they rely on LPG to prepare food.

The Government Medical College (MCH), Ernakulam, which requires around seven cylinders a day, is managing with just three or even fewer following the crisis. “We have asked the supplier to ensure the required number of cylinders. The afternoon meals at the canteen had to be stopped. However, the food packets provided by the DYFI at the hospital continue,” said Dr. Ganesh Mohan, Medical Superintendent.

Mohammed Rasleef, canteen and cafeteria in charge of MCH, said that close to 2,500 people depend on the canteen daily. “The canteen is the only option for food for patients who arrive from far-off places. We had to cut down the menu and rely on outside shops for food. Tea is brought from outside,” he added.

At General Hospital (GH), Ernakulam, the functioning of the Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly called Oottupura), which supplies food to in-patients, has not been affected. Meanwhile, the canteen for staff and patients has reduced its menu and limited the hours during which tea is served.

Dr. Satish Narayanan, Superintendent, GH, said he had obtained an assurance from the LPG supplier for uninterrupted supply. “We are a 783-bedded hospital and have to ensure that patients are provided with the required diets,” he added.

Canteen services at private hospitals too have been hit. Junaid Rehman, Superintendent, Sree Sudheendra Medical Mission Hospital, said that hostels of many nursing colleges had to be shut down. “The canteen at the hospital is another concern as the operator asked us to shut it down. We are planning to buy a heater and look for other alternative means. The canteen for bystanders has been closed, but that for patients is still operational,” he added.