Minister Khader pushes government hospitals to prioritize quality healthcare and accountability

Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader has issued a stern directive to doctors and healthcare staff, warning that even minor lapses in service delivery could undermine public trust in the government healthcare system. The Minister emphasised that quality services must remain the foremost priority across government hospitals and primary health centres.

Accountability and ownership at primary health centres

Addressing a progress review meeting of the Health and Family Welfare Department in Dharwad, Mr. Khader called upon doctors at primary health centres to treat their facilities as their own institutions and ensure efficient functioning. He stressed the need for punctuality, cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals, urging doctors to lead their staff by example.

Hospitals should create an atmosphere that gives patients confidence and reassurance, the Minister said.

Transfer policy reforms and regularisation

Mr. Khader announced that changes would be made to the transfer counselling process for doctors to facilitate spouses serving in the same district. The government would also consider allowing doctors who had rendered good service to continue at the same location.

He added that the government would discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the possibility of regularising doctors who had served on contract for three to five years.

Community engagement for resource mobilisation

The Minister urged doctors to work closely with local organisations and elected representatives to mobilise resources for hospitals. Local organisations, donors and college NCC units could be involved in meeting small requirements such as painting and improving cleanliness, he said.

Strengthening referral and emergency services

Primary health centres should provide effective first-line treatment and ensure that patients requiring specialised care reach taluk hospitals through 108 ambulances within 20 to 30 minutes, Mr. Khader said. Taluk hospitals should also provide major services, including postmortem examinations, and be strengthened with adequate infrastructure.

Staffing and infrastructure gaps

Most sanctioned posts in the district's government health system had been filled, though some centres continued to face a shortage of MBBS doctors. Orders had been issued to fill the vacancies, Mr. Khader said, adding that the shortage of dialysis facilities at the taluk hospital would also be addressed.

With patient numbers increasing at the district hospital, steps were being taken to expand its capacity. A plan was also being prepared to construct a new hospital with the required facilities, he said.

Crackdown on unqualified practitioners

Mr. Khader warned that stringent legal action would be taken against fake doctors. DHOs and THOs would also face action if negligence was found in detecting and acting against unqualified practitioners.

Vinay Kulkarni, Dharwad MLA, Prasad Abbaiya, Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA, and N.H. Konareddi, Navalgund MLA, made some suggestions in the meeting.

Teacher training and sports development

At a separate review meeting of the Minority Welfare Department, Mr. Khader, who also holds Minority Affairs, Haj and Waqf portfolios, said a 15-day intensive training programme would soon be organised for teachers.

Every school should form teams in football, cricket, hockey, kabaddi and kho-kho and develop talented players from school to taluk, district and State levels. He also called for strong march-past and school band teams, with the government providing financial assistance and equipment.

Cultural and talent competitions should be organised at taluk, district and State levels to identify and nurture students' abilities.

Source: The Hindu