Drug Shortage at KMCRI: Ministers Promise Action After Inquiry
Hubballi: (Hubli EXPRESS News) Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara, District In-Charge Minister Santosh Lad, and Hubballi-Dharwad (East) MLA Prasad Abbayya visited the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI) to inquire about the health condition of Ayyappa Swamy devotees who suffered severe burn injuries in an LPG cylinder blast incident at Unkal in the early hours of Monday.
Dr. Parameshwara and Santosh Lad visited the ward where the injured were being treated. They gathered information from the treating doctors and interacted with the family members of the victims. Doctors informed the ministers that, of the nine patients, eight have sustained critical injuries with a poor prognosis. Despite this, medical teams are making every effort to save them.
When the ministers met the family members of the injured, they expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment being provided. They alleged that the care was inadequate and requested the ministers to bring in specialists or experts from top institutions to improve the patients’ treatment.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. G. Parameshwara acknowledged the critical condition of the patients and assured that the doctors are doing their best. Regarding compensation, he stated that he would urge the government to release financial aid from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, considering the case’s gravity.
Scarcity of Drugs
When reporters highlighted the shortage of life-saving drugs and the unavailability of basic burn care supplies such as creams and gels, Dr. Parameshwara admitted he know the issue. He assured that strict action would be taken and directed an inquiry into the matter to identify lapses.
He further added that the District In-Charge Minister and the Medical Education Minister would soon convene a meeting to address the shortcomings in the hospital’s response to the incident. Steps would also be taken to improve the overall functioning of the hospital, he assured.
Appointment of a Regular Director
Responding to concerns about administrative shortcomings and the absence of a regular director at KMCRI, Dr. Parameshwara said he would discuss the issue with the Medical Education Minister. He assured that measures would be taken to appoint a regular director to enhance the institute’s operations.
Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu, Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar, Medical Superintendent Dr Ishwar Hasabi, RMO Dr Nagaraj Chandi and others were present.
