Need to increase beds in Victoria hospital, says CM Siddaramaiah

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to government-run Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru and interacted with a few patients. The CM, accompanied by Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, is likely to continue with this exercise by visiting government institutions. The CM also visited the Vanivilas Hospital. Siddaramaiah said that there is a need to increase the capacity of Victoria Hospital. According to informed sources, the initiative, first of its kind for the CM, is aimed at energising the administrative machinery. After completing two years in office, Siddaramaiah wished to have first hand information on the status of the administration at the grassroots level. He would pay such visits to the offices in the secretariat and even at district and taluk headquarters, sources added. Apart from interacting with the patients, Siddaramaiah inquired about the facilities at the hospital and also inspected the quality of food supplied to patients and attendants. Siddaramaiah said that doctors should treat patients with compassion. There will be too much pressure on the doctors here. I have told them to be patient. Doctors have been instructed not to accept money from anyone, the CM told reporters. What CM Siddaramaiah missed: Hapless attendants living in the open at Victoria Hospital Siddaramaiah said that he paid a surprise visit to the hospital after his tour to Koppal was cancelled owing to bad weather. On the menace of private ambulances, the CM suggested to the patients and attendants to make use of the 108 ambulances of the government. Siddaramaiah was impressed by the organ transplant facility at the gastroenterology department. Organ donation costs Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakhs outside. Here it is done for free, the chief minister said. He promised that the proposal to upgrade the gastroenterology department to a 300-bed facility from the existing 120-bed facility will be considered. When asked if the patients and attendants complained to him about any difficulties they faced, the CM replied in the negative, saying only a few complained about the admission process. After taking stock of the situation at Vani Vilas Hospital and Trauma Centre, he said that more than 40 deliveries take place daily at the hospital.