Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Jun 28: After five years, the district hospital at Ajjarkad has been renovated. The hospital had been upgraded as the district hospital in 1997 but only in words. Though it saw a few developments, they were not satisfactory. Rs 4.95 crore was released under improvement in health and development programme in the 2012-13 state budget. The renovation got delayed due to various impediments but was completed this month.
The tiles and wooden laths have been replaced by new ones. Broken window panes and doors have also been replaced. Old beds have been removed and new beds have been kept in their place. The hospital requires 350 beds but only 150 have been provided.
There is improvement at the enquiry counter and the medicine department. Parking facility has become wide and is filled with greenery. As per district surgeon Dr Mahendra, there is no scarcity of medicine for the time being, however doctors are not sufficient. A request letter has been sent to the concerned government department after discussing with the deputy commissioner.
The problems at the government hospital are not recent ones. Though the hospital has been given a face-lift, it requires doctors for neurology, cardiology, ortho and ayurvedic departments. While a surgeon looks after the hospital, he has the responsibility for women and maternity hospital as well.
The burns ward was inaugurated by the then minister of health U T Khader last year just for the record but it had no facilities. It was not possible for the hospital to spend on maintenance. It reopened in April this year with three staff nurses and a doctor. Lions Club has come forward to spend for its maintenance. As per the hospital budget, they need Rs 2 lac expenditure per month. As per former Lions Club governor Suresh Prabhu, they are not able to spend that much of an amount now. They have agreed to pay Rs 75,000.
“I have demanded that I should be made a member of the health committee. We are waiting for an MOU process. As Dr Vishal has been transferred, a new deputy commissioner should arrive in his place. There is need for a chief surgeon. Once that process is done, we will start paying the fixed amount from next month. If people do not come as per our estimate, it will be futile. It is necessary to advertise the facilities available at the district hospital,” he said.
It is common to see some of the projects of the government get abandoned due to lack of funds and unnecessary delays.