Families of women who visit the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
(IOG) in Egmore spend stressful days outside the hospital. They have to deal
with mosquitoes, bad weather, no drinking water, and unusable toilets.
They are asked to wait in the “people’s park,” a concrete area with asbestos
sheets near the Pantheon Road entrance. The shelter is meant for about 50 people,
but it often holds double that number, and many others have to wait outside.
“Nothing is free here. Whatever is free cannot be used,” said Ambedkar from
Egmore, whose wife was admitted for delivery five days ago. “The RO water system
doesn’t work. I spend ₹300 a day just to buy water. I bought a mat for ₹150 from
the shop outside. People who can’t afford these things drink tap water and sleep
on the floor,” he said.