100-bed hospital in Bagepalli sans regular doctors, facilities

 The government hospital in the town has been upgraded to a 100-bed hospital four months ago, but it is still not ready for use. The hospital lacks doctors and even basic facilities.

The hospital is in need of a chief medical officer (one post), medical officers (seven posts), medical superintendents - grade 2 (one post), nurses (seven posts), senior technician (one post), junior pharmacist (one post), office superintendent (one post), first grade assistants (two posts), 39 vacant of clerk and typists.

The hospital adjoining to the National Highway 7, is two-km away from the town. Of about 10 doctors, four doctors are working in the hospital.

Though the hospital has a borewell, it is now defunct and it does not get water from even the Town Municipal Council. As a result, the patients visiting the hospital have to carry water with them and absence of a canteen has denied in-patients of their good food and hot water.

The number of outpatients and in-patients is growing by the day forcing the four doctors work extra hours. Patients, majority of who are poor, visit the government hospital expecting good treatment as they cannot afford to go to private clinics. But the lack of facilities has forced them to risk their lives.

Patients, especially, pregnant women, find it difficult to reach the main entrance from the road as the hospital premises is occupied by private vehicles. Authorities concerned need to provide a parking space here, said the patients.

Apart from the staff, the hospital should be provided with life-saving equipment, in terms of casualty cases, clean drinking water and regular doctors, patients demanded. A few doctors from Bangalore visit the hospital but by afternoon, they leave, complain the patients.

“Despite having the 100-bed hospital, the patients are deprived of its service. It’s time, the authorities concerned neglected it,” said Ahinda leader Abdullah.