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Retired doctors will be hired for govt hospitals, says Khader

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader has said that to overcome the problem of shortage of doctors in government hospitals and PHCs, the state government has decided to hire retired specialist doctors on contract basis.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, he said that retired doctors who are within 65 year old will be hired. Gynaecologist, anesthesiologist, paediatricians will be hired and will be paid a honorarium of Rs 50,000. “If they are ready to work on hourly basis, then they will be given retainer of Rs 5,000 and Rs 1,500 per day for gynaecologist, Rs 1,000 for anesthesiologist and Rs 500 for paediatrician. If they are ready to work in out patient ward under KHSRDP scheme, then they will be paid Rs 1,000 per day.” 

“In fact, MLA Chincholi had appealed to the Health and Family Welfare Department to allow him to serve patients in the government hospital in his constituency during his free time at free of cost. There are nine physician MLAs in the State. With the government order, even they can serve if they wish to do so. Deputy Commissioners of each district has been empowered to recruit the specialist doctors on a contract basis,” he added.

Radiologist

“To overcome the shortage of radiologists in the State, the government is planning to start radiology telemedicine system, wherein radiologist call centre will be set up. The technicians will be trained to scan patients in government hospitals and send the report online to the radiologists at the call centre. The radiologist in turn will give suggestions to the patients after going through the report,” he added.

Ambulances

The Minister said the State government will upgrade its fleet of Arogya Kavacha ambulances by adding 198 more vehicles from Wednesday. Ninety eight ambulances have been purchased under the state budgetary allocations and 100 ambulances from the central government which was sanctioned during the previous UPA government’s tenure.

Dakshina Kannada district will get 10 ambulances under the scheme. The ambulances will be placed at Talapady, Pumpwell, Mudipu, Natekal, Mani, Siddakatte, Sampaje, Haleyangadi, Kumbra and Kokkada. The Udupi district will get five ambulances to Hebri, Brahmavar, Baindur, Belman and Kaup.

Stating that there are 583 ambulances in the State, the Minister said that the government has decided to earmark one ambulance to population of 70,000, so that it can reach the patient within 15 to 17 minutes. Those ambulances that have covered more than five lakh kilometre will be discarded. So every year, 150 ambulances will be purchased to replace the old one.

He said that under National Rural Health Mission, the salary of the contract staff both doctors and para medical staff have been hiked by 10 per cent. The salary of those serving in Hyderabad-Karnataka region have been hiked by 30 per cent.  

Meeting

A meeting to discuss on how to improve the existing building of Wenlock hospital will be held on November 29. A team from the state will visit Wenlock hospital. A semi -ICU with 10 ventillators will be inaugurated on December 5. At the same time, a sewage treatment plant would come up at the hospital premises for the effective disposal of waste generated from the hospital.

The recycled water will be used for gardens. The existing mortuary has been converted into a model one by providing basic facilities including drinking water, toilets and seating arrangement for the kin of the deceased.

Kambala

Stating that Kambala is the tradition of the land, the Minister said that there was no question of banning it. “It is the responsibility of the Centre to convince the Supreme Court to review its ban order. MPs from undivided Dakshina Kannada district should impress upon Minister Maneka Gandhi by giving facts on Kambala in the region. We want Kambala to continue.”

Govt will achieve water for irrigation from Varahi project by December end

Urban Development Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake has said that measures have been taken to supply water from Varahi project for irrigating agriculture land, by December end.

Speaking at the taluk-level Janata Darshan programme on Monday, the minister said that 35-year- old project remained incomplete owing ot various reasons. The government has taken up measures to accelerate the work. About Rs 300 crore would be required to complete the whole project. The issue of deemed forest that was causing hindrance to the completion of the project has been sorted out.

Retorting to a query raised by farmer Vikas Hegde, the minister said that coordination committee has  been formed following the visit of Irrigation Minister a few months ago. All possible attempts would be made to supply water.

The Minister said that he would take up the issue of providing interest rate for the pending arrears to be paid to the farmers of Brahmavar sugar factory. Hegde threatened to take up rigorous protest in the district, if the government fails to supply water from Varahi project before January 15. The minister directed the Deputy Commissioner to look into the matter bothering the three Koraga families in Hakladi-Senapura area.

Kala Hari and others complained that the Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation (KCDC) has taken up plantation works in their land given by the government. Vasudev Ediyal from Hallihole alleged that the families are residing in the area for the last 40 years and the controversy surrounding the land remains unsolved.

He said according to the officials, the area belong to Hosanagara in Shivamogga district. The families are deprived of submitting  applications under Akrama-Sakrama and Forest Rights Act. The minister said the he will take up the issue with the government and directed the DC to go through the report submitted by the committee.

Kamala Koraga from Yedthare and four others complained of harassment by Rama Devadiga.  To which, DC Dr R Vishal said as the issue is a civil case, the police and revenue officials can not interfere. The matter should be solved in the court.  On Akrama Sakrama, the minister said  the committee for Akrama-Sakrama has approved majority of applications submitted under Akrama Sakrama. About 12,000 title deeds are pending owing to the row over Kumki land, he added.