In what is probably an unprecedented move and a sad reflection of the healthcare system, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) in Ballari — among the few speciality hospitals in the Hyderabad Karnataka region — is set to take operation theatres (OTs) in private hospitals on rent for surgeries.
After the roof of the OT on the ground floor in the hospital collapsed on September 12, no surgeries have been conducted there as the entire OT complex has been declared unfit.
While emergency cases are being operated at the district hospital, which has limited resources, the hospital that has been performing over 60 surgeries a day (including 15 Caesareans) is unable to cater to the demand. Hospital authorities have now written to the Nursing Homes Association in Ballari requesting them to allow their OT facilities to be used by VIMS.
Sources alleged that the Medical Education Department is meting out a “stepmotherly treatment” towards VIMS and no steps are being taken to improve the situation here. There has been no enhancement of grants for taking up development works in the hospital. That apart, the premier institution lacks a regular director and its affairs are being managed through ‘in-charge’ directors, who are frequently changed. As a result, tenders for procurement of consumables and drugs, and improvement of the infrastructure are not being taken up. This is because directors are changed even before the tender process is completed.
Besides, elected representatives from the district, including district in-charge Minister and the Minister for Medical Education, and MLAs, are not taking issues affecting VIMS very seriously and not getting them addressed, the sources said.
According to an insider in the hospital, the OT complex was actually declared unfit two years ago. A sum of ₹24 crore has been sanctioned for construction of new OT complex. The blueprint is ready, but things are not moving, with none taking the initiative.
However, Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash R. Patil said he was not aware of the hospital taking private OTs on rent. “This has not come to my notice. As the entire OT complex has been declared unfit, we have taken up renovation on a warfooting. The problem will be sorted out in a month,” he said.
Asked why the authorities had not taken up regular repair and maintenance of the OT, he said the problem was being attended to as soon as it was brought to his notice. “That is why we have started building a new OT complex and this should be ready in six months,” he added.
