MINISTER PROMISES TREATMENT TO K.R. HOSPITAL 

Speaking to press persons later, the Minister said that he would soon convene a meeting of the Medical Education Director, Secretary, Principal Secretary, Finance Secretary and the Hospital Superintendents to chalk out a revival plan within 15 days.

Stating that the proposal to grant autonomy to K.R. Hospital is very much on cards, the Minister said it paved way for good development in hospitals at Bellary and Hubli. However, the pros and cons will be looked into before taking a decision, he added.

About Rs. 1,300 crore has been earmarked for Medical Education, he said and added that out of which Rs. 37 crore was ear-marked for Ayurvedic Colleges.

Ayurvedic College

The Minister first visited the Government Ayurvedic College and inspected the facilities there. Principal of the College Dr. Shobha V. Kulkarni and Head of the Department of Panchakarma explained the features of the college.

They told the Minister that the faculty had 16 posts vacant and sought for its filling up. They also sought an independent building for the Panchakarma unit.

The Minister, who visited the ayurvedic medicine preparation unit, suggested that it should be modernised and the Government would assist in that regard. He said that it is being contemplated to introduce four more PG courses.

K.R. Hospital

The Minister later visited the K.R. Hospital. He was received by the Medical Superintendent Dr. B.D. Satyanarayana, IMA President Dr. C. Rajan and other doctors. He first visited the OPD and emergency wards.

Former MLA A. Ramdas, who also accompanied the Minister, explaining the problems in the Department, said that out of seven X-ray machines only one was working.

The Minister, who visited the CT Scan and Cobalt Therapy Unit, was apprised that about Rs. 850 was being charged for a CT Scan even for BPL patients (Below Poverty Line) and it was requested to show some concession for them.

Warm OT

The Minister visited two out of the five Operation Theatres (OT), which had neither air-conditioners nor fans. Even the equipments were outdated. Fungus on the ceilings and fans added more misery to the visibly upset Minister, who entered when a surgery was on and came out profusely sweating and fuming at the pathetic infrastructure.

He visited the new IPD and OPD block and observed no presence of any ventilator equipment or air conditioner. The cardiac ward with 11 beds had no fans and the Oxygen supply unit was defunct. Water seepage was observed everywhere. The Minister visited the drug store and Cheluvamba Hospital also.

The Minister was accompanied by MP C.H. Vijayshankar, MLA H.S. Shankarlingegowda, Medical Education Director Dr. S. Ramananda Shetty, Mysore Medical College Principal Dr. B.C. Vastrad and city BJP President Thontadarya.