If Health and Family Welfare Minister K R Ramesh Kumar keeps his words, patients suffering from dengue and chikungunya may get timely treatment in future.
Speaking to mediapersons during a surprise visit to the district hospital here on Friday, he termed the existing system of confirming dengue and chikungunya as a lengthy process. The minister felt that if there are any symptoms that may help in early detection of mosquito borne diseases, the district hospitals should confirm them. The patients should not be made to wait for weeks for laboratory reports, he added.
Taking cognisance of a circular issued by the joint director of department of health and family welfare that prevents doctors at district-level from confirming the disease in spite of sufficient symptoms, the minister said, “The doctors have to mandatorily wait for report after sending blood samples to laboratories. It is a laborious process that takes maximum of 15 to 20 days to obtain the report. Till then, what would be the condition of patients?” questioned Kumar.
In a mocking tone, the minister said, “If a patient is being treated in Chikkamagaluru, the confirmation of his or her type of disease is made in Bengaluru.”
The minister, who called it as nothing but a ‘big crime at administration level’, said the department’s personnel are making false claims on succeeding in controlling the spread of virus, only to impress the government. It is not a lapse at the district-level, but at the state-level that needs to be corrected, he added.
The minister paid a surprise visit to the hospital in the wake of spurt in dengue and chikungunya cases in the district.
The minister, for whom it was also a first such visit to the district after taking charge of the health and family welfare portfolio recently, interacted with patients and enquired about their health, to gather first hand information from them.
He also wanted to know the efficiency of doctors, besides various other services provided at the hospital.
However, the minister lost his cool, when it came to his notice that the hospital is lagging behind in basic facilities, especially seating for visitors, unhygienic surroundings and unkempt toilets. He took District Surgeon Dr Kumar Nayak to task and directed the latter to fix commodes (western toilet) at toilets for the benefit of people suffering from joint pains. He also directed the local body president to make use of MLA local area development funds to provide seating facility.
When it was brought to minister’s notice that most of the medicines prescribed for dengue and chikungunya patients have proved ineffective, the minister collected samples of medicines to be sent for quality test at laboratory. If the medicines are found to be of substandard quality, action will be initiated against companies supplying the same, he stated.
The minister also directed authorities to shift maternity hospital and children’s wards to main complex of the district hospital. In the case of space constraints, additional building should be constructed and necessary action should be initiated. The patients should not be made to run from pillar to post and swindling money from patients ferried in ambulances should be stopped, he said.
Ramesh Kumar said that the reply of medical officer of the district hospital on the supply of medicines was unsatisfactory. He said adequate measures will be taken to check supply of unwanted and expired medicines if the district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres provide action plan on requirment of medicines.
City Municipal Council president M R Devaraj was categorically told the officials to maintain cleanliness in Shankarapura, Tipu Nagar and other localities and also undertake timely fogging to control mosquito menace.
The minister said the hospital will be upgraded with required facilities.
He also said that the government is committed to fulfil its pending promise on setting up medical colleges in remaining eight districts in the state including Chikkamagaluru, before completing five years in office. If it becomes a reality, all the district hospitals will be upgraded to super speciality hospitals, thus benefitting people from the region, he added.
The minister also lamented that not many MBBS graduates are evincing interest in taking up rural assignments.
To another question, the minister said, “Generic drug stores will be soon set up in all the district headquarters. It is intended to check the supply of substandard medicines and problems being faced by the government hospitals.”
‘I opposed the system, not govt’
Health and Family Welfare Minister K R Ramesh Kumar on Friday exuded confidence that the differences that have erupted in Congress party, especially after the Cabinet reshuffle, will fade away soon.
The minister told mediapersons that the party’s highcommand is capable in quelling dissident activities.
The minister claimed that he never raised his voice against the government, but opposed the system as an MLA earlier.