Delivery conducted under mobile torchlight at Raichur PHC, video sparks outrage
Raichur: A video showing doctors at the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Hutti Gold Mines town of Lingasugur taluk performing a delivery under the light of a mobile phone torch has gone viral, raising questions about the condition of healthcare facilities in government hospitals.
According to reports, several hospitals in the taluk, including the Lingasugur facility, receive free solar power supply from Selco’s electricity unit. However, some of these units have reportedly been out of service for months without repair. Due to this, when a woman developed labour pains recently, doctors were forced to rely on mobile torchlight during the procedure.
A video clip of a doctor and a nurse attending to the patient under torchlight reached Vartha Bharati, our correspondent spoke with Lingasugur Taluk Health Officer Dr. Amaresh. He confirmed that the solar power unit staff had informed Selco about the breakdown but repairs had not been carried out. “It was an emergency, so the staff had no option but to proceed using mobile torchlight,” he said.
The PHC medical officer added that although the hospital has an inverter, it was not in working condition since solar power had been in use. He confirmed that the woman was later shifted to Lingasugur Taluk Hospital for further care.
Local residents, including relatives of patients, have accused hospital authorities of negligence and raised concerns that around 20 nearby villages are being deprived of basic medical facilities. They have demanded a probe into the matter and called for accountability from both the health department and Selco for failing to maintain the solar power units.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Former minister C M Ibrahim announces to launch new regional party for Karnataka
Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.
Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.
The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.
ALSO READ: Veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa laid to rest with full state honours
Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.
His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.
