Top priority will be given to the improvement of basic amenities in the district hospital, Zilla Panchayat President M B Chikkanarasimhaiah said here on Sunday.

Mr Chikkanarasimhaiah, who visited the hospital to inspect the hygiene and other aspects of the hospital said that the hospital will be provided with two new ambulances and a police outpost will be established in the hospital premises.

Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav, who observed that women who had undergone family planning surgeries were lying along with the children on the floor, took the medical officers and officials of the Family Planning department to task. He ordered the purchase of 50 new beds immediately.

He expressed his displeasure for the use of old beds, torn mattresses and old cupboards.

He said that there were adequate funds to take care of such things and asked the officials to take immediate steps to set these things right.

The Deputy Commissioner also examined the complaints regarding hygiene and lack of cleanliness including spitting and paan (betel leaves) stains in the hospital premises. He asked the Medical officer to arrange from security staff for the hospital and send a proposal to him in this regard.

Hearse van

President M B Chikkanarasimhaiah said that the ZP will provide a hearse van for the district hospital.
Speaking to the media after inspecting the district hospital he said that steps will be taken to provide basic amenities to all the hospitals in the district.

Shortage of staff

He said, “There is a shortage of medical staff and other staff in most of the hospitals in the district. Efforts have been made to recruit doctors on a contract basis.”

Two ambulances have been donated by philanthropists to the Bagepalli Town Hospital and four more benefactors have come forward to donate four more ambulances for hobli centres. These ambulances will be distributed soon, he added.