Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader chairing a progress review meeting in Dharwad on Saturday (September 12).
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Saturday (September 12) directed doctors and healthcare staff to prioritise quality services in government hospitals and primary health centres, warning that even minor lapses could erode public confidence in the government healthcare system.Speaking at a progress review meeting of the Health and Family Welfare Department in Dharwad, Mr. Khader said doctors at primary health centres should treat their facilities as their own institutions and ensure efficient functioning.He emphasised on punctuality, cleanliness and hygiene in hospitals and said doctors should lead their staff by example. Hospitals should create an atmosphere that gives patients confidence and reassurance, he said.The Minister said changes would be made to the transfer counselling process for doctors to facilitate spouses serving in the same district. The government would also consider allowing doctors who had rendered good service to continue at the same location.He said the government would discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah the possibility of regularising doctors who had served on contract for three to five years.Mr. Khader urged doctors to work closely with local organisations and elected representatives to mobilise resources for hospitals. Local organisations, donors and college NCC units could be involved in meeting small requirements such as painting and improving cleanliness, he said.Primary health centres should provide effective first-line treatment and ensure that patients requiring specialised care reach taluk hospitals through 108 ambulances within 20 to 30 minutes, he said. Taluk hospitals should also provide major services, including postmortem examinations, and be strengthened with adequate infrastructure.Most sanctioned posts in the district’s government health system had been filled, though some centres continued to face a shortage of MBBS doctors. Orders had been issued to fill the vacancies, Mr. Khader said, adding that the shortage of dialysis facilities at the taluk hospital would also be addressed.With patient numbers increasing at the district hospital, steps were being taken to expand its capacity. A plan was also being prepared to construct a new hospital with the required facilities, he said.Mr. Khader warned that stringent legal action would be taken against fake doctors. DHOs and THOs would also face action if negligence was found in detecting and acting against unqualified practitioners.Vinay Kulkarni, Dharwad MLA, Prasad Abbaiya, Hubballi-Dharwad East MLA, and N.H. Konareddi, Navalgund MLA, made some suggestions in the meeting.Schools and studentsAt a separate review meeting of the Minority Welfare Department, Mr. Khader, who also holds Minority Affairs, Haj and Waqf portfolios said a 15-day intensive training programme would soon be organised for teachers. Every school should form teams in football, cricket, hockey, kabaddi and kho-kho and develop talented players from school to taluk, district and State levels.He also called for strong march-past and school band teams, with the government providing financial assistance and equipment. Cultural and talent competitions should be organised at taluk, district and State levels to identify and nurture students’ abilities. Published - September 12, 2026 06:18 pm IST
