In a significant shift that has sparked concern among residents, the Kushalnagar Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kodagu district will no longer have specialist gynaecologists attending to patients. This change is a direct result of a new policy implemented by the Karnataka state government's health department.
The Policy Behind the Personnel Shift
The state health department has issued an order stipulating that community health centres must perform a minimum of 30 deliveries every month. Facilities that fail to meet this target will see their specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists transferred out. These doctors will be reassigned to taluk-level hospitals where the number of pregnancy cases consistently exceeds the 30-per-month threshold.
Consequently, the experienced gynaecologists who served at the Kushalnagar CHC for several years have been moved. Their roles will now be filled by newly graduated MBBS doctors, who will be responsible for handling all cases, including performing deliveries.
Community Concerns and Official Justification
The decision has not been well-received by the local community. Residents argue that the Kushalnagar CHC is strategically located on the national highway and its specialist doctors were crucial not just for childbirth but also for managing chronic health issues. They question the logic of removing essential specialists instead of creating additional posts or addressing the root causes of low delivery numbers.
Kodagu District Health and Family Welfare Officer (DHO) Dr. Satish Kumar defended the policy. He explained that many taluk-level hospitals across Karnataka have a high volume of deliveries but lack specialist obstetricians. The government's step aims to redistribute limited specialist resources to centres with the greatest need through a counselling process. "Obstetricians from community centres where there are few deliveries are appointed through counselling now and sent to taluk centres where there are many deliveries," Kumar stated.
The Underlying Challenge and Patient Impact
However, sources close to the development point to a critical shortage of full-time anaesthetists as the primary reason for the lower number of deliveries at the Kushalnagar centre. This systemic issue, rather than a lack of demand or specialist skill, may have contributed to the centre failing to meet the government's new target.
The practical consequence for patients, especially those from economically weaker sections, is severe. For better healthcare services, including specialist antenatal and delivery care, they must now travel approximately 30 kilometres to either Madikeri or Somwarpet. This journey takes about an hour each way, creating a significant barrier to accessing timely and safe maternal healthcare.
The government order confirming the transfer of the two long-serving obstetricians from Kushalnagar marks a pivotal moment in how rural healthcare resources are allocated, prioritising numerical targets over geographic accessibility and comprehensive care.
