The minister also found that of the 311 teaching and non-teaching staff, as many as 132 were absent.

While 42 employees had not signed the attendance register since March 18, no action had been initiated against them by either the medical superintendent or the resident medical officer.

The minister observed that although a biometric attendance system was in place, many staffers came an hour late.

At the help desk, set up to receive suggestions and complaints and to inform patients about the facilities offered by the hospital, no complaints were registered from March 11 to March 18, he said.

A team of officers accompanying the minister collected samples of “sub-standard” dal and rice used in patients’ food. Another common problem the patients and their attenders faced was having to bribe the staff nurses and the security personnel for any kind of service. 

At a meeting of the hospital doctors and the minister, it was suggested that many of the patients who were brought to Vani Vilas in ‘108’ ambulances from KC General Hospital, BBMP maternity hospitals and the Ghousia Hospital should be treated in the same zone where the hospitals were located so that patients got better treatment.

Besides, it was also suggested that infrastructure like beds and the number of doctors and nurses should be increased to ensure quality service.

There was also a proposal to start postgraduate nursing courses at the hospital to help meet the demand for nurses in obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric ICU.

Admitting that there was a shortage of doctors and hospital workers, medical superintendent Dr Some Gowda said that with the increasing number of deliveries at the hospital every year, it required 10 additional specialists each in the obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatric sections. He said the hospital received nearly 1,000 cases from other hospitals and patients brought in ambulances each month. “We need more staff and funds,” Gowda said.

As for corruption charges, the superintendent said he had assumed charge only two months ago and he needed at least six months to act against the guilty.