After several patients complained about poor treatment in government institutions, the State’s Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil undertook an unannounced visit of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) and Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health on June 19.
Doctors and staff were warned by the Minister as he took them to task for their ‘inefficient style functioning’ which necessitated him seeking information about the number of doctors available under fast track service at Kidwai, surgeries being done per day; whether there is a shortage of staff among others. In case patients do not receive appropriate care, disciplinary actions will be taken against the doctors and staff by the Minister.
The Medical Education Minister sought details related to facilities, hospital services, quality of treatment and food being offered when he interacted with patients. He lamented that some patient was suffering after waiting for one month without any surgery being done. Patients should not wait so long before operations are conducted without their knowledge according to his view.
He wanted to know from Manjushree M., Administrator and Lokesh V., Director concerning how many patents report daily at the hospital, what kind of treatment is administered there and if there is a fast track service among others. The official running this process got into trouble while answering these questions hence attracting rebuke from his boss.
Afterwards, during a conversation with journalists at KMIO, Patil revealed that similar hospitals will be opened in other places like Tumakuru, Shivamogga (Shimoga), Mandya and Karwar for ease of access to medical care by individuals from different parts of Karnataka who find it uneasy to reach Bengaluru. “We also have plans underway to put up another Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Kalaburagi,” he added.
Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health in Bengaluru.
Dr. Patil admitted that Kidwai Hospital has its own problems but said no more waiting list occurs there. “Personally, I have interacted with a number of patients and many are satisfied with the way they receive treatment here,” he said. Financial bids will be floated to purchase medical equipment and steps would be taken to solve the staff shortage.
In a humanitarian act, the Minister ordered that Ramesh, a physically challenged man who pleaded inability to secure medication valued at ₹75,000, be given free medicine by hospital staff.
