Latest hi-tech govt hospital in Bangalore has miles to go

The only facility working at the CV Raman General Hospital, the city’s latest hi-tech government hospital, is its out-patient facility. It has no operation theatre, lacks well-equipped laboratory facilities and most importantly, doesn’t have sufficient number of doctors. All this despite it being over two months since the hospital was inaugurated by health minister Arvind Limbavali.

A notice stuck on the hospital doors warns patients of its partial functioning. “OPD facilities for the time being include general medicine, chest diseases (TB), paediatrics, orthopedics and general surgery,” the notice reads.

That the work at the CV Raman General Hospital is still under progress is obvious at its gates, as patients are forced to walk through unhardened cement to enter the hospital. Srinu Malla, a defence employee, had to wait for about an hour for a doctor to look at his three-year-old son who was suffering from fever. The waiting was not the problem. Without properly designated waiting rooms or even chairs, patients were forced to sit on the steps inside the hospital. Malla’s son was shivering as he slept on the cold floor, resting his head on his father’s lap.

Yamuna Ranganath’s father, suffering from dysentery, had a tough time finding a functioning toilet at the hospital. Although the hospital has numerous toilets, most of them are locked. In addition, the in patient facility is yet to begin, despite the hospital having 250 beds. The conditions are no different with specialty treatments like the maternity ward. Most of the rooms on the upper floors of the hospital are locked. Even if they were open, accessing it would still be a problem considering the absence of working elevators.

As for the hospital staff, there are only about eight doctors, including orthopedicians, paediatricians, general physician, chest physician and a dentist working at the hospital. However, without basic equipment such as a dentist’s chair, a fully functioning hospital is unlikely even during emergencies.

According to the hospital superintendent, KS Sandhya, “It is hard to say exactly when the hospital will become fully functional. We are doing our best with the facilities we currently have. As more equipment and doctors come in, we will increase the facilities and the treatment provided here. We have sent requests to the drugs and logistics department and they will provide the equipment soon.”

Principal secretary of health Madan Gopal said tenders have been invited for provision of equipment. “The tenders will be finalised by the end of the month. Since this is a hospital, we have to ensure that there are no loopholes in the tenders and that good quality products and service are provided. We cannot take risk,” he said.

According to the staff, 56 doctors’ posts are vacant at the hospital. However, these vacabcies can be filled only after the amendment to the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of transfer of medical officers and other staff) Act, said Madan Gopal.

“The draft has already been published and we are in the process of receiving objections to the amendment. The last date for filing objections is February 2. Once the amendment is done, the process will move smoothly,” he said.