Minister warns hospital heads over drug shortages, ICU gaps, poor sanitation in K’taka
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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Friday issued a stern warning to hospital directors across the state, threatening strict departmental action over persistent complaints of drug shortages, inadequate ICU capacity, and poor sanitation in state-run facilities.
Chairing a departmental review meeting at Vikasa Soudha, the minister’s office said in a statement that Patil referred to observations made by the Lokayukta and widespread public complaints regarding drug availability at hospitals functioning under the medical education department.
Pulling up hospital heads for reactive drug procurement practices, the Medical Education Minister asked, "Why do you wait until drug stocks are exhausted before inviting tenders?"
He directed all government hospital and college heads to initiate procurement tenders at least three months in advance of anticipated shortages, a move aimed at eliminating stock-outs that have disrupted patient care.
Responding to acute complaints about ICU bed shortages, Patil sought a direct explanation from the head of the trauma and emergency care centre at Victoria Hospital.
As an immediate remedial measure, he directed Additional Chief Secretary Mohammed Moshin and Director of Medical Education B L Sujatha Rathod to designate an entire floor of the upcoming 10-storey Victoria Hospital building for additional ICU beds.
The new facility is scheduled to be inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 2, the minister’s office said.
Patil also criticised hospital management over sanitation and lift maintenance, warning directors to ensure washrooms remain clean and lifts remain functional at all times.
“During my district visits, complaints about unclean washrooms are routine. Clean washrooms are not a luxury; they are a matter of basic human dignity,” the minister stated.
According to the statement, the engineering section of the department was directed to fast-track all pending civil works, with a strict deadline of the end of May set for near-completion buildings.
The minister made clear that further delays would not be acceptable.
In a significant financial concern, Patil reprimanded hospital heads for failing to fully utilise AB-ARK (Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka) scheme claims, with some institutions claiming as little as 60 per cent of their entitlement.
“Only 100 per cent claims can make an institution self-sustaining. There must be no lapses in this duty,” he warned, stressing that under-claiming directly undermines the financial health and service capacity of public hospitals.
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Union Minister Sanjay Kumar's son booked under POCSO, files counter-complaint of extortion
Hyderabad (PTI): A case under POCSO Act was registered against Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar's son here following allegations of sexual harassment of a minor girl, a charge denied by the accused who alleged extortion and criminal intimidation by the teen and her parents.
According to the 17-year-old girl's mother, Sanjay Kumar's son Bhageerath, who was in a relationship with her daughter, sexually harassed her.
The alleged relationship began about seven-eight months ago, police said.
They are yet to examine the girl, who is a student.
Meanwhile, Bhageerath complained to the police in Karimnagar that the girl who got acquainted to him, invited him to her family functions and group gatherings.
An FIR was registered based on the complaint.
Bhageerath said in the complaint that, believing the girl's family to be trustworthy, he accompanied them and visited some holy places, as part of a friends group.
Subsequently, the girl and her parents intimidated him to marry her, but he rejected the proposal, following which the girl's parents demanded money and also threatened him with false complaints if he failed to pay the amount.
Out of fear, he paid Rs 50,000 to the girl's father, but they demanded Rs five crore. If he failed to comply, the girl's mother would commit suicide, Bhageerath alleged in his complaint.
