DOCTORS DIFFER ON AUTONOMY TO K.R. HOSPITAL 

M. Lakshmana, ACICM Convenor, explained that the Government was contemplating to implement the report submitted by the former Principal of Mysore Medical College, Dr. Raghotham Rao recommending autonomy to the Hospital.

"Autonomy does not mean privatisation. On the other hand, if autonomy is granted and the Hospital placed under a competent Director with full administrative, financial and disciplinary powers, in addition to a Chief Executive Officer, all the services of the Hospital will continue as usual. The required staff can be recruited and also fired in case of inefficiency. Also, new facilities and services such as neuro-surgery, plastic surgery, trauma care and kidney transplantation can be created", Lakshmana argued.

Problems

At the outset, Lakshmana listed many problems now vexing the K.R. Hospital, such as (a) unreliable power supply resulting in the ridiculous situation of conducting operations with torch light; (2) lack of basic facilities and hygiene in special wards; (3) lack of quarters for important staff of the Hospital; (4) The building for IPD and OPD built at a cost of more than Rs. 6 crore not only doesn't have any of the modern facilities but is also crumbling at several places; (5) only one out of five X-ray machines is in working condition, with frequent breakdowns; (6) no generator in the Hospital for back-up power in case of power disruption; (7) short supply of syringes resulting in their hazardous reuse; (8) posts remaining unfilled to the extent of 60 per cent; (9) vulnerability of wards to thefts and (10) apathy of the staff towards patients, apart from rampant corruption.

IMA Secretary Dr. Harish, who spoke, said autonomy may not be the right solution to any of the problems vexing K.R. Hospital.

The independent head of the Hospital, if given autonomy, may misuse not only his position but also the funds, he added. The Government may also not continue to give the grants after some time, he opined.

Dr. Jagannath Babu argued that autonomy may not help to solve the serious problems of corruption and inefficiency at the Hospital. He wanted the present practice of collecting fees for many services at the Hospital to be stopped.

Dr. Y.B. Hegde felt that autonomy would result in improvement of both the Mysore Medical College and the K.R. Hospital.

There were no values among the Hospital staff in general, said Dr. C.G. Narasimhan, adding that there was an urgent need of committed, competent and honest professionals at all levels in the Hospital.

The present condition of the K.R. Hospital was appalling, said Dr. Anand, a former student of Mysore Medical College. The existing conditions needed to be set right urgently, he argued.

MLA M.K. Somashekhar, Corporator Sandesh Swamy, former Mayor S. Dakshinamurthy, former MLA A.S. Guruswamy and Janata Dal (S) leader S. Jayaprakash were present.