The Deccan Herald  06.09.2010

BBMP moots Board of visitors for hospitals

Bangalore, September 5, DHNS:

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has mooted Board of Visitors for the Palike referral hospitals and maternity hospitals to ensure transparency at the state-run health facilities.

According to Palike officials, the proposal was put forth by the BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah in a meeting held on Saturday. The proposed Board at the zonal level would comprise at least seven members including local corporators, zonal engineers and medical officers. “We are particularly looking at ensuring transparency in the management of our hospitals,” said a BBMP official.

The Board would look into hospital management and identify problem areas in its functioning. It would update the Commissioner and the Council at regular intervals on the possible solutions to the problems faced by the hospitals.

The Saturday meeting between the Health Department officials and the Commissioner largely revolved round the procurement of medicines at the BBMP referral hospitals which lack essential drugs in certain parts of the City.   

The BBMP has seven referral hospitals and 26 maternity hospitals under its jurisdiction. The newly-elected corporators had been critical of the functioning of the Health Department at meetings, terming it ‘unhealthy department.’

Officials said the procurement of drugs for diseases such as dengue and chikungunya have been of concern in the recent past. “With the Board in place it would be easier to keep a tab on the list of drugs which need to be purchased in large quantities,” an official said.
The government has accorded permission to the Palike to fill up nearly 70 posts of doctors through Karnataka Public Service Commission.