Madikeri: The transfer of skilled and experienced doctors from Gonikoppal community health centre (CHC), a prominent healthcare facility in Kodagu, has resulted in an acute shortage of staff. This has severely impacted both outpatient and inpatient services.The Gonikoppal hospital, situated in South Kodagu, serves residents from Kutta, Balale, Thithimathi, Ponnampet, and neighbouring areas. People seek treatment here for accidents and various medical conditions, making it a consistently busy healthcare centre.The authorities said that the principal secretary of health and family welfare department, Harsha Gupta, recently implemented the rules issued in 2012. Due to this, it is mandatory for doctors and other staff who have been serving for more than 10 years to be transferred.Recently, Virajpet MLA AS Ponnanna submitted a petition to health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao raising the problems arising from the transfer of doctors in the major hospitals in the constituency, Gonikoppal and Siddapura Hospitals, under the new rules. The minister promised to take remedial action.
