A Ramadoss catches hospital staff unawares

Health Minister pays surprise visit to hospital to hears patient's complaints, samples substandard food and recommends suspension of medical superintendent for irregularities

A Ramadoss catches hospital staff unawares

Health Minister pays surprise visit to hospital to hears patient's complaints, samples substandard food and recommends suspension of medical superintendent for irregularities

In a bid to check up on the various complaints, Union Health Minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss paid a surprise visit to Vani Vilas Hospital yesterday morning. Ramadoss made an appearance without prior notice and found that the government run hospital was sorely lacking in patient care.u00a0 Out of 311 members of the hospital staff, 134 were absent. Furthermore, attendance registers were not signed since March 8, while the biometric system records showed that in most cases, doctors came in an hour late.

Caught you! Patients complained to Ramadoss that hospital staff,
including nurses and security guards, was accepting bribes to provide
better service. File pic

Bad shape
The help desk was also clearly in need of help itself, and it was noted that no patient's complaint had been recorded over the last few weeks. Patients criticised hospital staff, including nurses and security guards alleging that they were accepting bribes to provide better service.

A senior member of Ramadoss's office, said, "Unfortunately, patients were unable to identify the accused guards and nurses so we were not able to raise questions."u00a0 Ramadoss inspected the hospital canteen and even sampled the food that was being served to patients. The former minister found that the rice was half-cooked, while the sambar tasted foul, as the daal used was of inferior quality."

Suspension
A detailed inspection report was sent to O S Siddappa, former medical superintended of Vani Vilas hospital and current director of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI). Ramadoss included a recommendation to suspend Some Gowda, current medical superintended of the hospital in his report.

Siddappa, said, "Ramadoss has done the right thing. Certain changes have to be made to improve the administration." Meanwhile, Gowda could not be reached for a comment.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels