Shivamogga: Nagalakshmi Choudhary, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women, inspected McGann District Hospital and the Women’s Police Station in Shivamogga on Saturday to review healthcare services, infrastructure, and public grievance redressal mechanisms.During her visit to the female general medicine ward, she interacted with inpatients and their relatives to assess the availability of free medicines, the presence of doctors, staff behaviour, drinking water facilities, and overall sanitation. She also reviewed sanitation workers’ salaries, staff welfare measures, and the implementation of benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ARK) scheme.Addressing a case involving a woman who was struggling to afford dialysis treatment after her BPL card was converted to an APL card following the death of her earning son, Choudhary contacted the deputy director of the food department and directed officials to resolve the issue immediately.She later inspected the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH) section and directed officials to increase the number of registration counters to reduce long queues for pregnant women, rectify administrative lapses, and fully digitise lab test reports so that patients no longer have to carry sample bottles or endure lengthy waiting times.Noting poor hygiene, broken windows, and heavy dust accumulation around beds, she ordered immediate repairs and instructed staff to ensure that all medicines were supplied through the hospital’s e-pharmacy instead of issuing outside prescriptions. She also urged the medical superintendent to expedite the opening of the new MCH facility and directed authorities to provide clean drinking water in all wards.At the women’s police station, Choudhary reviewed basic amenities, missing persons cases, complaint registers, and ongoing investigations. She instructed officers to respond promptly to women in distress, prominently display helpline numbers and large QR codes at the station entrance, and ensure quarterly Internal Complaints Committee meetings under the POSH Act to maintain a safe workplace for female staff.
