New hospital building yet to see light of the day in Ch'nagar

Project completed on schedule; inauguration delayed by 10 months

The new hospital building in Chamarajanagar stands as a mute witness to the negligence of the elected representatives and the authorities.

Though the works have been completed months ago, the hospital is yet to be inaugurated and waiting to see the light of the day.

The people in the elite class which comprises the elected representatvies are not worried over the same, but it is the people from the economically weaker sections and rural background who are the most affected and have been denied the much-needed essential service.

Public complain that the netas and babus have turned a blind eye over the issue and have been delaying the formal inauguration.

A 150-bedded hospital was begun eight years ago and was later upgraded into 250-bedded for the benefit of the poor. Later, works for additional building was launched at a cost of Rs 10 crore under Karnataka Health system development project.

A deadline was given to complete the work by April 2011 . Though the hospital works were completed at the scheduled time, it was not inaugurated.

According to government rules the procedure for the appointment of medical and paramedical staff begins when the hospital building is 75 per cent complete. But, no steps have been taken so far for the appointment here.

The current hospital has 112 posts sanctioned comprising 18 experts.

Out of this, 98 posts are filled and  remaining vacant. The para medical staff are working on contract basis and additional staff are required for serving the poor.

If the appointment process had begun for the new hospital in time, the 100-bedded hospital would have been a boon to the people here. There were also plans to open delivery, surgery, x-ray, paediatric and other units.

The delay in opening the hospital is denying the basic facilities that has to be rightly provided.