Bengaluru, Within hours of being allocated his portfolio, Karnataka Minister U T Khader paid a surprise visit to a government hospital in the city to take stock of the situation and review the
Bengaluru, Within hours of being allocated his portfolio, Karnataka Minister U T Khader paid a surprise visit to a government hospital in the city to take stock of the situation and review the functioning of healthcare services.
During the inspection on late Thursday night, the state health minister checked staff attendance, interacted with hospital authorities, and reviewed patient care facilities.
He expressed displeasure after noticing a pregnant woman sitting on the floor, and pulled up officials who were absent from duty, issuing them a stern warning.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said the surprise visit was aimed at assessing the ground realities at the hospital-including the challenges faced by the institution, staff attendance and punctuality, particularly during morning and evening shifts-and identifying shortcomings that require immediate attention and corrective measures.
"We are constantly discussing how to improve the system further and how to make services reach more people. Our intention is not to trouble anyone. We want to take everyone into confidence, understand their concerns, and address them," he said.
On his surprise visit, the minister said that although there were no formal complaints, he observed that a couple of doctors were absent.
Since this was the first instance, Khader said he would call them the next day and issue a warning based on the reasons for their absence, adding that if such incidents recurred, appropriate action would be taken.
Stressing that he wanted to create a better and more organised system and provide the necessary support, he said that owing to a busy schedule and multiple meetings, it was not always possible to visit every facility. However, the minister
assured that whenever he got the opportunity, he would visit and try to get a clear picture of the situation.
"We will discuss the issues with doctors, officials, and other stakeholders and find solutions. Those who perform well will be encouraged and appreciated. Those who are negligent will be warned, and if they continue to neglect their duties, appropriate action will be taken," he added.
Responding to a question on wait times at government hospitals such as Victoria Hospital, Khader said that, unlike private hospitals, government hospitals must attend to every patient who walks in, regardless of the numbers.
"If a particular hospital receives more patients, it generally indicates that people have confidence in that hospital and that it is functioning well. We should pay attention to such factors," he said.
On complaints about private ambulances charging poor patients excessive amounts, the minister said, "This is a serious issue. I will hold a meeting tomorrow at 10 am to discuss these matters in detail and address them one by one."
The minister said anyone with suggestions, complaints, or concerns related to healthcare services should bring them to the department's attention. "We will examine them carefully and work towards solutions," he added.
Noting that public property and healthcare institutions belonged to everyone, the minister appealed to the public not to create disturbances, damage hospital property, threaten doctors, or intimidate nurses.
"We must create a safe and fear-free environment for healthcare workers. Only by working together can we improve the healthcare system and serve the public effectively," he added.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.