M'lore: Notwithstanding Minister’s Visit, 49 Wenlock Doctors Abstain Themselves
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/SP)
Mangalore, Feb 18: The state medical education minister, S A Ramdas, had given advance information that he would be visiting the government Wenlock Hospital here, and hold a meeting with the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff of the hospital at 11.30 am on Friday February 18. To his consternation, Ramdas found on his arrival today at the hospital, that as many as 49 doctors had chosen to stay away from duty today. Moreover, only one among these 49 doctors had applied for leave.
Enraged by the high unauthorized absenteeism, the minister said that notices will be served on the absentee doctors and action will be initiated against them.
He visited the hostel of the hospital. As his arrival was known in advance, the hostel was found to have been kept clean in general. 35 students are accommodated in each floor in a cramped manner. The minister found that there were leakages in the roofs and damages to the room doors. He asked for a proper estimate to be submitted relating to repair works, to the ministry for sanction. He also found that a portion of the hostel was filthy. The employees there complained that the government was not releasing sufficient grants for hostel maintenance.
A dharna is going on in front of the hospital, protesting against the charges being levied even on below poverty line patients. During their interaction with the minister, the protestors said that the hospital takes about 90 minutes for admitting even patients who are brought in ambulances. They complained that the hospital employees ask the patients to bring medicines from outside at their own cost. They demanded concessional and free treatment for below poverty line patients at the hospital. Based on the assurance of the minister, the protestors withdrew the protest duly giving one week time.
The minister was accompanied by MLC, Capt Ganesh Karnik, and Shrikar Prabhu during the visit. The minister said that he wants to reform the functioning of the hospitals and ensure that no files are pending in any of hospitals. He said that every hospital, whether government or private, should compulsorily display citizen charts showing doctors present, types of treatments provided there, and surgeries conducted, charges for individual services etc.
The Minister visited Father Muller Hospital in Kankanady. Fr Patrick Rodrigues, Director, FMCI welcomed the minister. Addressing the doctors on occasion, the minister lauded the hospital management for efficient service at the hospital. He said as the hospital has more than 100 years of great history and wished that same compassionate service be prevailed in other hospitals of the state. MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik was present.
Ramdas is scheduled to visit nursing and pharmacy colleges in the city from 2 to 3.30 pm today. He will participate in the convocation of Derlakatte K S Hegde Medical Academy from 5.30 pm to 6.45 pm. He will travel to Bangalore by night train.