Karnataka: Hospitals remain unutilized due to lack of Doctors, facilities

Mysuru: The medical services have not yet started at the Trauma Care Centre and the Princess Krishnarajammanni Super Speciality Hospital built at the PKTB Sanatorium campus on KRS Road due to a lack of doctors and hospital staff required for the functioning of the two facilities smoothly.

The two facilities attached to the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) have remained unutilised after it was established years ago leaving the population of the region without access to medical care. It is not only the lack of doctors and hospital staff that is problematic but also the lack of medical equipment at the facilities.

Earlier during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trauma centre and the super-speciality hospital were converted into a temporary COVID unit due to the shortage of beds. Since both the facilities are not functioning now, K R hospital attached to MMCRI is facing huge pressure of the increasing number of patients coming to the hospital in need of medical attention.

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With concerns about the long-term future of both facilities, the people of the region have become impatient and want the facilities to function soon. However, the question now is 'When?'

When asked about the matter to MMCRI, the authorities said that they are trying to get the facilities the necessary requirements soon. However, they also said that 850 posts were sought from the government to operationalise the facilities during the time when Sri Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

MMCRI Dean and Director H N Dinesh told The Hindu "Equipment for both hospitals have come and added that the government had been requested to sanction the posts at the earliest. 850 posts, including doctors, nursing staff, Group D and C have been sought to cater to the needs of the hospitals besides upgrading the MMCRI, following its proposal to enhance the medical seat intake from 150 to 250 pending before the NMC."

"It's difficult to manage with the current posts. While a 20-30% shortage can be managed, major positions have to be filled to ensure their smooth functioning," Dinesh added.

Dr Dinesh said "The proposal for appointing doctors and other posts is before the Finance Department. We have clarified some doubts about the proposal. Once the new facilities become fully functional, the pressure on K R Hospital will come down. We are hoping for development before Dussehra."

The 200-bedded Princess Krishnarajammanni Super Speciality Hospital was built at a cost of ₹135 crores and the foundation stone for the hospital was laid by former CM Sri Siddaramaiah. Along with doctors and hospital staff, the facility also needs a linear accelerator to treat cancer patients, which would cost around Rs 30 crore and the proposal has been sent to the government, said Dr Dinesh.

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