Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Jan 14: The Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & Child Hospital, which was built by Dr B R Shetty, on the land donated by Haji Abdullah and later handed over to state government due to financial constraints is in the state of an orphan at present.

The state government took over the hospital into its custody from April 13, 2022. The government should have given Rs 2.83 crore as pending salary of employees and Rs seven crore for yearly maintenance. However, from the last seven months not even a single paisa is released. The government has paid just Rs one crore out of the Rs 2.23 crore pending salary of doctors and staff. This was for four months. Now the pending salary amount also included Rs 3.90 crore from June to December 2022.

For the earlier 70 bed hospital, 50 permanent positions were sanctioned. Only seven were filled and rest are still vacant. The government has deputed 66 doctors and staff on outsourcing basis but grant is not released for them also. Still, the recruitment of 12 doctors is pending.

Though three anaesthetists and 10 specialist doctors are recruited through NHM outsourcing, staff nurse and group D employee shortage is there. The 70 bed hospital building was demolished with the aim of building BRS super speciality hospital. Huge pits are dug for the purpose and pillars are put. But during monsoon this breeds mosquitoes and is dangerous for patients and babies.

S Angara, district in charge minister says, “I have spoken to the chief minister and health minister with regards to the issues faced at BRS Ventures women and children hospital and the same will be resolved soon.”