KALABURAGI: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka visited the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences Hospital, situated in the building of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), on Thursday, after reports surfaced that no surgeries were performed here over a three-day period -- June 16, 17 and 18.
Ashoka visited the wards of both GIMS, as well as Jayadeva, and interacted with patients, attendants and doctors of both hospitals. The patients and their attendants confirmed that Jayadeva Hospital did not perform any surgeries for the said three days, reportedly due to a lack of pure water. The Kalaburagi Municipal Corporation allegedly supplied mud-mixed water via tankers, which was unfit for drinking, and as required for surgical procedures, mentioned the patients and doctors.
Later, Ashoka addressed the media, where he said that on a daily basis, 300 heart patients visit the Jayadeva Hospital in Kalaburagi. In the absence of proper medical care, including the stoppage of surgeries, it is not known where the patients went. Heart patients need immediate attention and care. If they are not given treatment soon, their situation could turn critical.
The said issue has harmed the reputation of Jayadeva Hospital too. “It is the duty of the government to provide uninterrupted power and water supply to health facilities. The government could have spent Rs 20 lakh a day towards providing clean water to the Jayadeva Hospital in Kalaburagi. It is a lapse on the part of the government,” he alleged.
“Kalaburagi district has powerful ministers like Priyank Kharge, Dr Sharanaprakash Patil, and BR Patil, who is the political advisor to the chief minister. What were these powerful persons doing when Jayadeva Institute was facing problems,” questioned Ashoka. The LoP also stated that it is a lapse on the part of the Kalaburagi Mahanagara Palike, which was duty-bound to supply water to the hospital on priority basis.
Ashoka added that that he would write a letter to the Chief Secretary and would also speak with him personally, and ask him to conduct a proper inquiry into the matter and bring the guilty to book.