In a startling revelation that has raised serious questions about healthcare delivery in Karnataka, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has discovered that Mysuru's Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) has not treated a single child, despite being fully operational with staff and equipment.
Empty Beds Tell a Disturbing Story
During a recent inspection visit to the facility located at PKTB Sanatorium on Bannimantap Road, commission members were shocked to find the centre completely vacant. The NRC, designed specifically to treat severely malnourished children, stands as a silent witness to systemic failures in child healthcare infrastructure.
Commission Expresses Outrage
KSCPCR Chairman Naganna Gowda expressed deep dismay at the situation, stating that the empty centre represents a massive waste of resources and a failure in reaching vulnerable children. "The very purpose of establishing this facility is being defeated if no children are being treated here," Gowda emphasized during the inspection.
Systemic Issues Uncovered
The commission identified several critical problems contributing to this alarming situation:
- Lack of awareness among healthcare workers about the centre's existence and purpose
- Failure in referral systems from primary health centres and hospitals
- Inadequate coordination between different levels of healthcare providers
- Poor dissemination of information to communities in need
Immediate Action Demanded
The child rights panel has issued strict directives to the district health department, demanding immediate measures to rectify the situation. Key recommendations include:
- Conducting intensive awareness campaigns among healthcare workers
- Establishing proper referral mechanisms from all primary health centres
- Creating community outreach programs to identify malnourished children
- Implementing monitoring systems to track centre utilization
Broader Implications for Child Health
This situation highlights a critical gap in Karnataka's healthcare system, where infrastructure exists but fails to reach the intended beneficiaries. With malnutrition remaining a significant public health challenge in India, the underutilization of specialized facilities like the Mysuru NRC represents a serious setback in child welfare efforts.
The commission has given the health department a strict timeline to show improvement and ensure that the centre begins serving its intended purpose of helping severely malnourished children recover and thrive.
