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JD(S) all set to reveal graft in Khader’s dept

MANGALURU: JD(S) Dakshina Kannada district president Vitla Mohammed Kunhi said former chief minister and party leader H D Kumaraswamy will release documents pertaining to irregularities in the health department. Kunhi told reporters that Kumaraswamy is collecting documents to prove irregularities in the health department.

 "Kumaraswamy will hold a press meet at Ullal, Khader’s constituency. He will reveal the extent of corruption and irregularities in the implementation of schemes in the health department," he said. Reacting to the JD(S) leader’s challenge, Khader said, "I welcome Kumaraswamy to my constituency. It is a democratic country and everyone has the right to speak. We will accept any suggestion that Kumaraswamy has for the development of the health sector in the state."

 Clarifying on his alleged comments against Kumaraswamy, minister Khader said, "I did not mention Kumaraswamy’s name. It was a general remark that those who make baseless allegations against Rahul Gandhi should be sent to Nimhans Hospital."

‘Transferring chief doc is just procedure, not punishment’

MANGALURU: Minister for health and family welfare U T Khader said that the action against Government Lady Goschen Hospital chief was not a punishment. Lady Goschen Hospital superintendent M Shakunthala was shifted to Government Wenlock District Hospital on May 8, following the death of a woman on May 7.

 Poovamma, 32, from Sullia had delivered a baby boy at Lady Goschen Hospital on April 21. She was admitted to the hospital again on May 5, following health complications. Later, on May 6, she was shifted to Wenlock Hospital as she was suffering from pulmonary embolism leading to difficulty in breathing.

 Her death had triggered commotion at Lady Goschen Hospital with her relatives and others holding protest on May 8.Soon after the incident, the department on May 9 had issued an order appointing three senior medical specialists as members of a committee that will conduct inquiry into the death of the woman at Government Lady Goschen Hospital.

 Khader said, "Shifting of Dr M Shakunthala from Lady Goschen Hospital to Wenlock Hospital is not a punishment. It is just a government procedure. The final decision will be taken only after going through the report of the three-member committee."

 Khader said the committee members Dr N R Suresh, lead consultant, National Health Mission, Dr Shantharam Baliga, head, Regional Advanced Pediatrics Care Centre, and Dr Bharathi Nirmal, retired district surgeon, will submit the report in two or three days.

 The minister said there is shortage of nursing staff at Lady Goschen Hospital. "Against the requirement of 100-120 nursing staff, the hospital runs with only 60 nurses. We have decided to appoint young nurses, graduating from Government Wenlock Nursing College at Lady Goschen Hospital. They will be paid Rs 7,000 per month through Arogya Raksha Samiti of Wenlock Hospital," Khader said.

 Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said that eight women died at Lady Goschen Hospital in March, April and May, this year. Of the eight deaths, five took place within 45 days in April and May, the DC said, adding that most of the complicated cases of pregnancy are brought to Lady Goschen Hospital.