Date:26/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/26/stories/2005082610410300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Lack of infrastructure affects Kurgodu government hospital

Staff Correspondent

Of the five posts of doctors sanctioned, only three have been filled

IN A SHAMBLES: A stone bench is being used as a bed to treat patients at the Kurgodu government hospital

BELLARY: Most people go to a hospital when they are unwell and require treatment. However, the government hospital at Kurgodu, around 30 km from Bellary city, is an exception to this. The hospital itself is in need of urgent treatment. The hospital lacks basic amenities and the building, which was constructed in 1960, is in a dilapidated condition.

Though the hospital, which started as a Primary Health Centre with six beds in 1960, has been upgraded to a 30-bed community health centre, the facilities required at such a centre are yet to be provided.

Enquiries revealed that as against five posts of doctors sanctioned, only three have been filled. Among the three, two doctors are on deputation. Except for a peon, there is no paramedical staff at the hospital.

The outbreak of gastroenteritis in Kurgodu, which affected around 140 people, brought to light the sorry state of affairs at the hospital. The floors and corridors turn into makeshift beds when patients are admitted. A borewell on the premises has not been functioning for many years and patients have to get water from the tank of a temple near the hospital.

When contacted, District Health Officer Shakuntala Bujhang told The Hindu that when the disease was declared endemic in the area, a district team rushed to the hospital. When people were suffering from diarrhoea, additional staff had also been deputed to treat patients.

She said that four cases of gastroenteritis were reported on Thursday, taking the total number of cases to 143. All precautionary measures, including chlorination of tanks, creating awareness among the people to consume boiled and cooled water, are being taken to check the spread of the disease.

With regard to the upgradation of the hosptial, she said that the German aid sanctioned for the project is expected to be released by December.