Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Mar 6: Government hospital of the city is the second biggest hospital after Wenlock in the district of Dakshina Kannada. More than 500 outpatients are treated here. A good number of doctors and health care professionals work here. However, due to the absence of a well-equipped mortuary in the hospital, doctors and healthcare professionals are put in embarrassing situations. In addition, a system of preserving the mortal remains of people involved in crime and unidentified persons is also required in this hospital.

Government hospitals have given dialysis to patients even during the coronavirus pandemic. It also took several measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Patients from outstation taluks also arrive at this hospital to avail treatment.

The mortuary which is there right now is a small building that is separated from the main building. Huge cracks have developed around the building. Only the mortal remains of two people can be kept in the present facility. There is no facility of the dressing room for the doctors, which is vital during conducting post mortem examination of the mortal remains of the deceased person. Even a freezer facility is not available in the hospital and the mortal remains have to be taken to Wenlock hospital of Mangaluru.

Though attempts are being made to convert the present hospital into a 300-bed facility, this project is still not implemented. Once this project is implemented, there is a plan of upgrading the mortuary also.

Meanwhile, this has given rise to confusion on whether the problems faced by the hospital due to the unavailability of a well-equipped mortuary will continue till the modernization of the hospital. Though many organizations have come forward to set up a well-equipped mortuary for the hospital, the health department is in a quandary whether to go ahead or not as the upgradation plan of the hospital is in the discussion phase now.