Chikkamagaluru: The members of Malenadu Karavali Janapara Okkutta demanded that the health department resolve the issues surrounding the govt hospital in Sringeri. The members held a meeting and urged officials to fill vacant posts to ensure effective health services. Anil Hoskoppa, Okkutta state coordinator, said that in the Malnad region, travelling from villages to the taluk centre was a major challenge for patients, and many lives were lost while travelling to another town due to lack of facilities. “As there no obstetricians or paediatricians at the govt hospital, pregnant women faced hardship without proper medical care,” he said. In addition, there are no paediatricians, general surgeons, gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, orthopaedics, ENT specialists, dermatologists, or radiologists. “Despite appeals to the health minister, nothing has changed,” he alleged. The members also warned of launching an indefinite protest if the problems were not fixed. The Okkutta also alleged that doctors serving at the hospital were harassed and transferred. Vitlapura Subrahmanya Acharya, Muralidhar Pai, Adesh Kudlumakki, and others were present.
