Speaker's anger out of affection, says Khadar; allays fears over doctors' strike


Bangalore, Oct 25 (DHNS): Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khadar, who was pulled up by Legislative Assembly Speaker Kagodu Thimmappa over the shortage of government doctors, defended himself on Friday, saying, “the Speaker has only given him some suggestions out of affection.”

Speaking to reporters, Khadar denied being pulled up and claimed to be happy about the department taking steps to solve problems such as non-availability of doctors and drugs in government hospitals. He also listed out measures taken to ensure effective healthcare services to people.

Kagodu had on Thursday summoned Khadar and his department officials and took them to task for not responding to problems, especially non-availability of doctors.

The Speaker had also written a letter to the minister in this regard, besides holding a meeting with him.

Khadar said the department had decided to recruit 983 specialist doctors, 331 MBBS doctors, 87 dental doctors, 1,228 nurses and 318 drivers.


Revised salary

The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) has been asked to recruit the doctors and the department has even proposed an increase in the monthly salary of doctors.

Salary revision is proposed in the range of Rs 70,224 (general duty medical officer) to Rs 1,03,011 (senior specialist). But the proposal is yet to be cleared by the Finance department, he added. Further, the department has decided to supply drugs to hospitals based on demand. Expenditure on drugs per person has been hiked to Rs 270 from Rs 142.

This apart, a 24/7 pharmacy will be opened at all district- and taluk-level hospitals. “The Speaker did not summon me. I went to him on my own and apprised him of all these measures. Moreover, the Speaker and the chief minister have every right to be angry with me. They do it out of affection,” he stated.


Doctors' strike: 'No need to panic, govt to ready plan B if needed'

There is no need to panic over government medical doctors threatening to go on strike, Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khadar said on Friday. According to him, his department will make alternative arrangements, if necessary, and ensure proper healthcare services.

Addressing reporters here, he said that he was open to holding talks with the doctors and discussing their demands. “Specialist doctors will not go on strike. Majority of the MBBS doctors have said they will not cause any inconvenience to the people even if they go on strike. Doctors who have real concern will not go on strike,” he added.

When asked about the doctors’ threat to resign en masse on October 27 if their demands are not fulfilled, the minister said that the government would take appropriate decisions if they resort to resignation. But he did not divulge the alternative options before the government.

The department has no objection to fulfilling demands such as increasing the salary of contract doctors to Rs 28,000 a month and chalking out a separate transfer policy. But on providing allowances to the contract doctors on a par with regular doctors, he said that he could not go against the contract agreement. “Why did they sign the agreement in the first place? It is not proper to change their stance after entering an agreement,” he asked. On the demand to retain medical doctors as food inspectors, he said: “How can the government agree with such a demand when there is an acute shortage of doctors. It is unreasonable.”


Meeting with CM

Following the meeting with the minister, the president of Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA), Dr Veerabhadraiah, said that Khadar had agreed to most of their demands. He also agreed to schedule a meeting with the chief minister shortly. “The health minister has assured us that a meeting with the chief minister, law and revenue ministers will be scheduled to discuss the demands. The meeting is likely to be held on October 27,” he added.

The KGMOA has asked the health department not to hand over six district hospitals to the Medical Education Department (MED). The district hospitals in Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Gulbarga, Koppal, Gadag and Uttara Kannada have been scheduled to be handed over to the MED during the current financial year.

The association members have also demanded that the government create the post of Casualty Medical Officers (CMO) in district hospitals to ease the work of specialists. They want eight posts to be created in district hospitals and five in taluk hospitals. Along with this, they have urged the government to increase the salaries of contract doctors.

 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Sk, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    Mr. Health minister, can you please first fix the condition in your constituency. There are 3 hospitals yenepoya, ks Hegde and father mullers, but there are no proper roads to go there. The road from Thokottu to deralakatte are in such pathetic condition with potholes. Patients and doctors cannot even reach the hospital on time because of it. There is also so much filth and dirt. Mr. Health minister are u awake? Please go fix it first. U cannot even do that in your area and how will u manage the state health.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    He means just like 'Wife's Anger'
    O.k.
    You should possess something to, okay a P.H.D. in cajoling and getting her on track...Is it not??
    Now see here..some will quietly press agree here. The 'hubby' that is.If both 'husband' and 'wife' are reading..Wife will see Hubby from the corner of her eye! That 'hubby' will murmur 'what nonsense' and press disagree!Is it not? All actors like 'Sobagaas'!

    DisAgree [19] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'lore

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    Keep note of pressers of disagrees ..O.K.
    All 'Wife Feet Pressers' Association'
    members...
    What ? Asking?? Feet only???
    I do not know more details...Ask them only...Let them also tell.
    Pressing disagree very easy for them. Easy easy things they do.

    DisAgree [8] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Aadil Khan, Kasaragod/Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    Rs 28,000 a month salary to a MBBS doctor! A fresh BA, BOM, Bsc graduates earn more than this. And engineers earn double of this salary.

    I think Health Dept. should indeed rework on doctors' pay scales if quality health care is needed in Govt. Hospitals.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Reenadstate , Mangalure/ KSA

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    Your a man with Zero thoughts .. Pls do not penn immature comments as your message really says a man with zero idea texting message ...

    DisAgree [19] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • George Belman, Belman

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    Khader has proven to be a populist leader only fit raiding hospital at night. He is a disaster as an administrator and policy maker.

    People elected him to provide governance - not do night watchman job visiting hospital.

    And he has utterly failed in administration. Doctors and medicine shortage is all over and minister is busy pandering to vested interests. Other than pandering to media, what is the point in visiting hospitals at night with chelas and media, disturbing patients who are undergoing treatment in hospital.

    Why can't Khader focus on filling vacancies and medicines and addressing striking doctor's demand? I guess those are boring things not good for media darling Khader.

    DisAgree [98] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil R, panjikallu kajebailu

    Sat, Oct 25 2014


    Gorge Belmane.. the like and dislike ratio on your comments says the truth.

    DisAgree [9] Agree [47] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lingappa, Kuppepadavu/Amsterdam

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    George. I agree with your comments. His minister ship is just the result of the appeasement policy of the Khangress .Meanwhile we should also not forget the airport incident were he advocated for someone carrying a banned substance though it was none of his business. He just wants to secure his seat thru vote bank politics.

    DisAgree [47] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Nithin Poojary, Mangalore

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    I had never seen a politician like Mr. Khader....I think god has given him the Health Ministry to help the poor who are in need...I have seen in my own eyes how he responds to the family members of the patients to cut down on the medical expenses...People dosent need any middle men to meet him & to get things done from Khader...
    Most importantly Khader respects all religions...
    He is the Ultimate Sulthan of Ullal

    DisAgree [18] Agree [116] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Sat, Oct 25 2014

    WELL SAID

    DisAgree [8] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Speaker's anger out of affection, says Khadar; allays fears over doctors' strike



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