Hubballi: Critical Medical Superintendent Position Vacant for 10 Days, Impacting Operations at KIMS

Hubballi, Karnataka: The Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), a renowned healthcare institute in the state, is facing administrative challenges due to the absence of a Medical Superintendent for the past 10 days. The position has been vacant since Dr. Arunkumar, the previous Medical Superintendent, assumed the role of Director at the Dharwad Institute of Mental Health Sciences (DIMHANS).

Dr. Arunkumar, before his transition to DIMHANS, handed over the charge to Director Dr. SF Kammar. Dr. Kammar is currently juggling responsibilities as the Director, Medical Superintendent, Head of the Orthopedics department, and in charge of the Head of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR). This multifaceted role has led to a slowdown in the day-to-day affairs of the hospital, impacting its usual smooth functioning.

Director Dr. SF Kammar should have asked Dr Arunkumar to continue until further arrangements are made, no concrete actions have been taken. Concerns have been raised about patient care suffering due to the absence of a Medical Superintendent in a hospital that boasts 2,000 beds and admits approximately 1,500 patients daily.

Or Director should have asked some senior doctor to discharge duties as MS, till further arrangements, that tood did not happen. 

Sources suggest that the delay in appointing a new Medical Superintendent may be attributed to a reluctance among senior doctors to take up the position, as many aspire to become directors instead. This hesitation has further complicated the filling of the crucial role.

In response to the situation, Director Dr. SF Kammar informed Hubli Express that he has submitted a list of senior doctors to the government and is awaiting a response. He assured that a new Medical Superintendent would be appointed soon to address the current administrative challenges at KIMS.