A government hospital in Molakalmuru, Chitradurga district of Karnataka has been facing a severe power cut crisis. The hospital is said to have a 100-bed facility and is under baleful conditions leaving the medical staff and patients distressed. This situation has forced the medical staff to use their mobile flashlights, torches, and candles to examine patients.
A video has gone viral on all social media platforms on May 24th, showcasing the dire condition and the hospital's struggle to function without proper lighting or ventilation.
In the viral clip, it's quite evident that the doctor is trying to treat the patient using a mobile flashlight, and the bystander is assisting by doing the same.
According to the reports, the area around the hospital has been affected by power supply cuts due to heavy rainfall for a week now. The hospital authorities have been criticized for neglecting this issue and not repairing the backup generator in the past 7 days.
MLA NY Gopalakrishna, a Congress leader claims that this hospital only has a 100 kW generator. Since the hospital has a facility occupying more than 100 beds, it requires at least a 250 kW generator. He also alleged that the chief doctor is affiliated with the BJP party and hence to tarnish the MLA's reputation, didn't report the issue to the local MLA.
Mr. Gopalakrishna also blamed the previous legislator for the current problem of the hospital. He said that he'd be submitting a proposal to the government seeking the installation of a 250 kW generator.
When the Congress leader went to inspect the situation in the hospital, it led to a heated argument with the chief doctor. He said that it was his responsibility to conduct an inspection and get to know about the whereabouts but the doctor behaved rather rudely with the leader in front of his patients. Being a doctor and part of such a noble profession, he shouldn't utter such vulgar words. Later, the doctor realized his mistake and apologized for the same.
A similar incident of shortage of power supply was reported in the Bhuvanagiri government hospital, Telangana on May 22nd. It was reported that due to power cuts, patients were left hanging in the darkness for several hours. The doctors and hospital staff also had to resort to using mobile torch lights.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Aditi Madathingal/MSM)
