Taluk hospitals in Karnataka to have gynaecs, anaesthetists and paediatricians 24/7

Bengaluru: In order to improve maternal health in Karnataka, the Health and Family Welfare Department on Friday announced that two gynaecologists, two anaesthetists and two paediatricians will be available at all taluk hospitals to ensure quality treatment round the clock. 

All taluk hospitals will function as comprehensive emergency obstetric and newborn care hospitals. Specialists from 230 underperforming Community Health Centers (CHCs) will be deployed to taluk hospitals. 

A total of 41 CHCs with average monthly childbirths of 30 or more will continue to have triple specialists. 

CHCs located in remote locations of the states such as Male Mahadeshwara Hills, Santhemarahalli, Talakadu and Bannur shall continue to be staffed with specialists. 

Staff nurses in primary health centres (PHCs), where there is poor performance because of low number of patients, will be shifted to taluk hospitals and each hospital will be staffed with additional three nurses. 

“We are taking all significant steps to strengthen maternal health and reduce maternal mortality in the state,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told a press conference. 

According to department data, 32 taluk hospitals record fewer than 30 deliveries a month, 36 hospitals 30-50 deliveries, 49 hospitals 50-100 deliveries, 11 hospitals 100-150 deliveries, nine hospitals 150-200 deliveries and 11 hospitals 200 and more. 

Taluk hospitals have vacancies for 11 obstetricians, 21 anaesthetists, 19 paediatricians and 114 radiologists. 

Of 274 CHCs, only 114 have obstetricians, 86 aanesthetists, 155 paediatricians.