Bengaluru, July 05: Minister for Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar has warned of booking criminal cases against private hospitals who refuse treatment to Corona patients.
He addressed a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha on Sunday, after paying surprise visits to the Jayanagar government hospital and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases.
Dr Sudhakar said that the administrative boards of hospitals were warned not to refuse treatment to any patient. “We are facing a medical emergency and cannot afford to compromise with regard to providing treatment,” he said and added that people could call on helpline number 1912 in case they face problems at hospitals in admission, getting tested, receiving test reports, and even being treated.
Since the number of cases has increased in the city in the last 10 days, people are worried, but the situation is expected to get better on Monday, said the minister.
“The required number of ambulances is being provided in the city, with a separate nodal officer. Every ward will get two ambulances in addition to those under the 108 health service,” he said and added that people could still call the helpline no 108 in case of need.
When asked about the charges for Corona tests, the minister admitted that there were media reports that people are being charged Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 to get a Corona test conducted. “The government, however, is getting the tests done for free on people suspecting to be infected. As many six lakh people have been tested so far, but no money has been collected at all. The private centres too have the rates fixed at Rs 2,200 for each test. Action will be taken against those who charge the patients higher,” he warned.
Speaking of the bed facilities in the hospitals, the minister said that the government medical college hospitals for Corona treatment have 152 of the 819 beds empty. The private medical college hospitals have 779 of the 1,899 beds empty. The government hospitals have 105 of the 611 beds empty. Private hospitals too have beds empty, but only 116 of the 2,734 beds have been provided to the government for Corona treatment, he added.
Dr Sudhakar said that the government has held discussions with the administrative boards of the private hospitals to hand over the promised number of beds to the government as early as possible. The chief minister has appointed Revenue Minister R Ashok and the chief minister's political secretary Vishwanath to oversee the work, which will begin on Monday.
The confusion regarding distribution of the beds will be cleared in a couple of days, he added.
“The younger people should ensure the senior citizens do not get infected by going out of home. Senior citizens who suffer from multiple health problems and with symptoms of influenza-like illness should compulsorily be made to undergo Corona tests,” said Dr Sudhakar, adding that the matter of legal action against letting senior citizens out of their homes is being discussed with medical experts.
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India progressing under PM Modi, Karnataka heading towards decline: Union Minister Kumaraswamy
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy has said while India is moving steadily towards becoming the world’s third-largest economic power under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Karnataka is heading in the opposite direction under the Congress government.
Speaking at a programme to mark the 101st birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, along with the Atal Award presentation and Good Governance Day celebrations, the JD(S) leader said Karnataka was once a model state for governance and development.
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“Karnataka was once synonymous with exemplary governance. It had adopted an outstanding development model and emerged as a leader for the entire nation. But under the Congress government’s administration, all these distinctions have been lost, and the State is now moving in the opposite direction,” Kumaraswamy said.
He alleged that the current dispensation has completely damaged the education sector, noting that Karnataka was once a frontrunner in education.
“Karnataka, which once ranked first in good governance, has reached such a state today. Frivolous politics is being played in a good State. Administration across all departments; including health, education, agriculture and revenue has deteriorated. People must now seriously introspect,” he said.
Asserting that the era of good governance must return, Kumaraswamy said people are fed up with the misgovernance of this government.
Bengaluru, once the IT-BT capital and a hub of education and technology, has seen its infrastructure completely deteriorate, he said.
"The state government lacks the mindset to accept even well-intentioned and expert advice. It has developed a culture of speaking irresponsibly even about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.”
Noting that the state has all the potential and capacity to move forward, the union minister said, “At a time when India is stepping forward to become the world’s third-largest economic power under Modi government, one wonders in which direction Karnataka is heading? It is moving backwards and sliding into decline.”
Remembering Vajpayee as “Ajatashatru”, a leader without enemies who rendered long and distinguished service to the nation, Kumaraswamy said leaders like Vajpayee are rare today.
“His contributions as External Affairs Minister, Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister were immense. He was a visionary leader who took the BJP from just two seats to 170 seats in Parliament,” he added.
Expressing concern over growing unrest, he said, “Karnataka must once again become a garden of peace for all communities. There is unrest in society. When one looks at what is happening within families, it causes anxiety. While technology is advancing and economic strength is increasing, there is fear even in turning on the television in the morning. There is no peace of mind for anyone. It is for this reason that I have advocated teaching the Bhagavad Gita at the school level. Unfortunately, politics is being unnecessarily mixed into this issue."
