Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/SP)
Udupi, Sep 28: B Sriramulu, who recently took over as the health minister of Karnataka, stayed at the district hospital at Ajjarkadu here on his first visit on Friday, September 27.
Addressing a press meet at Circuit House, Bannanje here, he said, “I have been travelling to different districts to check the prevailing conditions there and to help district hospitals to get basic infrastructure facilities. I have made it a practice to stay at the hospitals at night. I have spoken to Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat and concerned persons in the hospital regarding upgradation needs of the hospital and provision of basic facilities," he explained.
"I am committed to fulfilling the demands of the people and to approve construction of a 250-bed district hospital here. 60% of the people approach district hospitals for addressing health problems. In accordance with the Prime Minister's vision we will put sincere efforts towards providing facilities so as to affectively handle competitions by private hospitals. Modi has drawn up many plans in this regard. He has given 30% incentives under 'Ayushman Bharath' health scheme," he narrated.
The minister said that the people are losing confidence in district hospitals because of the poor services and they prefer to go to private hospitals to get better medical service and attention.
"I have always believed that serving the poor is equal to worship of God. I will work on it," he added.
Sriramulu noted that it has been just 45 days since he took over as the new health minister of the state. He confessed that he is aware that he cannot bring changes to the system overnight.
"I have instructed the department to recruit MBBS graduates on direct appointment basis and it is my first priority too," he explained.
He agreed that there is shortage of 17,000 staff in health department in the state. "I have instructed all DHOs and surgeons to fill vacant posts under direct recruitment scheme to avoid delay in appointments," he said.
Sriramulu further said, 'I will also discuss the matter of enhancing the pay of the doctors, who work in hilly regions."
"As I have received complaints from the general public and MLA Bhat about the shortage of doctors, surgeons, paramilitary staff etc here, I have already discussed the matter with the government," the minister stated.
In reply to queries on Kusamma Shambhu Shetty mother and child hospital having been registered as a private hospital under Karnataka government, Ramulu said, 'it happened during the term of the previous government and I will rectify the errors'.
"I have arranged to hire 5,500 paramedical staff through direct recruitment. This time, we will do it phase by phase," the minster replied.
He expressed the view that this city must get a medical college, as tourists visit in large numbers.
Regarding release of funds for the flood affected areas, he said, "there is no shortage of money in the government. Resources and revenue are good."
Ramulu, answering to query on providing relief to endosulfan victims, said that, to the best of his best knowledge, some NGOs are working on it. It is a rare disease. I have proposed to add government employees, lawyers and media persons under Arogya Bhagya scheme to get free treatment, he narrated.
"I have been visiting hospitals to instill a sense of responsibility in the minds of government hospital officials. So, this operation is required. This is not just for getting publicity. I am doing it from the depths of my heart. This is just the beginning and it will continue till the district hospitals are reformed," he stated.
The minister said that a 'Suvarna Arogya trust' has been formed to provide required facilities to the patients coming from far off places.
MLA Raghupati Bhat, BJP district president, Mattaru Ratnakar Hegde, MLAs, Sukumar Shetty and Lalaji R Mendon, district surgeon, Madhusudhan Nayak, and zilla panchayat president, Danakar Babu, greeted Sriramulu on his arrival at the circuit house.
He stayed at district hospital on Friday night. He will conduct review meeting with the officials of government hospital and political leaders on Saturday. Later he will proceed to Kundapur.
He had light food at the hospital. Suitable arrangements were made for his stay in a room in the district hospital.
He will take part in 'Pinda Pradana' religiious ritual on the occasion of 'Mahalaya Amavasya' on Saturday.
Karavali Youth club and Bhim Army Brahmavar handed over a memorandum to the minister regarding the need to bring improvements in the hospital condition and demanding formation of high level committee for looking into district hospital administration.