Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Mar 31: Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education Dr K Sudhakar on Wednesday March 31 said that the Punjalakatte Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Bantwal taluk of Dakshina Kannada district will be upgraded to international standards.
Speaking to media after a review of the Dakshina Kannada district health machinery, Dr Sudhakar said that the Punjalakatte PHC, which was built on a four-acre land during British era, required an up-gradation as footfalls have increased manifold.
“Chief minister B S Yediyurappa has already approved in the recent budget developing PHCs to global standards and the Punjalakatte PHC will also be developed under the same scheme.
“To be developed at a cost of Rs 6 crore, the plan includes development of various facilities and construction of housing for doctors, nurses, and Group D workers.
“I inspected the Bantwal taluk general hospital today. The officers concerned have brought to my attention many issues including appointment of Group D workers and procurement of some medical equipment,” he said adding that those issues would be resolved.
“The Bantwal taluk general hospital has facilities to carry out surgeries but it is not being used currently. The officials concerned have been instructed to take up surgeries at the earliest,” he said.
The local legislator is very proactive and he regularly interacts with the medical staff to understand operational challenges, he noted. The government healthcare system will function more efficiently if the local legislators also review their functioning at regular intervals, he said.
The inspection culminated with a review session involving Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, district health officer (DHO) and several officials of the district health administration. Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary also attended the review meeting.
“The mortality rate in Dakshina Kannada district may be low at present but that does not mean the guard can be let down in the fight against Covid. I have asked the District administration to strictly enforce the guidelines for travellers from Kerala,” said Dr Sudhakar.
Expressing displeasure over frontline workers not coming forward to take vaccination, he said their move does not inspire confidence among the public.
Dakshina Kannada district is doing well in terms of healthcare but there is a need to do better, he said.
Earlier in the day, the health minister toured various parts of the district to review functioning of various government medical facilities and their preparedness for Covid fight.
The four government medical facilities inspected by the health minister were Kudupu (Vamanjoor) PHC, Bantwal taluk general hospital, Wenlock district general hospital and Lady Goschen hospital.
DHO retires from service
Meanwhile, Dr Sudhakar along with deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra felicitated DHO Dr Ramachandra Bayari who will be retiring from his service. Dr Bayari took charge as DHO on 2 March 24, 2020 during the lockdown period.
Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik, mayor Premananda Shetty, superintendent of police B M Laxmi Prasad, DCP law and order Hariram Shankar, zilla panchayat CEO Kumar and others were present.