Aishwarya Beejady
Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (RD)
 
Kundapur, May 16: When the state-run-general hospital in Kundapur set up an ultra modern maternity ward with private partnership it was considered as a bane for the poor pregnant women of this area.  But now the maternity ward faces a different kind of problem.  While the maternity ward boasts of modern facilities like the one in private hospitals the ward does not have the basic and most important facility - services of a gynecologist.   As a result of this apathetic attitude of the hospital the poor pregnant women in and around Kundapur are faced with lot of inconveniences and hardships.

Initially there was a gynecologist posted on deputation  at the maternity ward who was subsequently transferred to Kota, in Kundapur,  on May 3, 2012.  As the regular gynecologist is on leave, the maternity ward is left without a gynecologist, causing inconvenience to poor pregnant women who cannot afford to go to private hospitals.  These poor women are forced to pay a heavy price for the lethargic attitude of the state-run hospital. Though this maternity ward has ultra modern facility these women in the last stages of pregnancy will have to go in search of other private hospitals which is beyond their means. 
 
The maternity ward of city’s general hospital has ultra modern facilities like that of any private hospitals.  Dr G Shankar, chairman of G Shankar Family Trust, Udupi had donated an ultra modern maternity ward set up at a cost of Rs 50 lac in the name of his mother Laxmi Soma Bangera.  It was set up mainly with the intent of helping the poor pregnant women. 

It’s a thirty-bed maternity ward, with surgery and pre-natal services, and these services are not even available even in some of the private hospitals.  There were two gynecologists working in the maternity ward initially.   Dr Chandra Marakala, who was on deputation, has now been transferred to Kota primary health centre in Kondapur.   Another regular lady gynecologist   is on   a month long leave.  As a result, the maternity ward is left without a gynecologist, rendering it useless. 
 
Response of District health department:
 
The city general hospital that has an ultra modern maternity ward which was set up  with  private partnership, has become ineffective much to the chagrin of pregnant women.  Former President of District Mogaveer Youth Organisation Satish Naik has urged the district health department to respond immediately to the crisis and appoint a permanent gynecologist at the earliest so that the poor pregnant women are saved from  all the inconvenience caused by the present standoff. 

Dr Uday Shankar, Medical Officer of city general hospital says that the maternity ward has been facing lot of difficulties owing to the transfer of the gynecologist who was on deputation and also due to the fact that the regular gynecologist  is on leave.   Many poor pregnant women in and around Kundapur were availing the facilities at the ultra modern maternity ward and were happy with the service and facilities.  Now the ward is facing a major problem of not having a gynecologist.   He said that the issue has been brought to the notice of District Health Officer so that alternative arrangements are made at the maternity ward.  In the meanwhile, Dr Uday Shankar stated that the hospital has taken the decision to admit emergency pregnancy cases to the District Hospital at Udupi.