Mysuru's State-of-the-Art Hospital Hampered by Critical Shortages
The newly constructed district hospital on KRS Road in Mysuru, intended to be a modern healthcare facility, is facing severe operational challenges due to acute shortages of medical professionals and inadequate infrastructure. Despite being built on a sprawling 13-acre plot nearly six years ago to reduce pressure on the older KR Hospital, the institution is struggling to deliver quality healthcare services to patients.
Ambitious Project Meets Harsh Reality
The district hospital project began with much promise when then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah laid the foundation stone in June 2017. The government had allocated Rs 75 crore for constructing a five-storey medical facility, following the announcement in the 2016-17 budget presentation. The building construction was completed by the end of 2018, marking a significant milestone in Mysuru's healthcare infrastructure development.
However, the newly constructed hospital building remained vacant for nearly two years due to delays in fund allocation and staff recruitment issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government converted the unused facility into a dedicated Covid hospital beginning July 23, 2020, providing crucial medical services during the health crisis.
Current Challenges and Patient Impact
Despite government sanction for 300 beds, the hospital currently operates only 200 beds due to severe shortages across multiple departments. The facility has recorded an impressive 308,000 inpatient admissions as of October this year, demonstrating the significant patient load and community reliance on this healthcare center.
The hospital faces multiple critical deficiencies:
- No CT scan or MRI facilities, forcing patients to pay out-of-pocket at private labs
- Shortage of specialist doctors in cardiology, surgery, medicine, and orthopedics
- Insufficient nursing, paramedical, and technical staff
- Lack of essential equipment and support staff
Patients are bearing the brunt of these shortcomings, particularly those requiring advanced diagnostic services who must seek expensive alternatives in private facilities.
Pending Proposals and Government Response
The district health department has submitted detailed proposals to higher authorities requesting immediate intervention. The requirements include:
- CT scan and MRI scan machines
- 50 additional nursing staff members
- Specialist doctors across multiple disciplines
- 5 lab technicians and X-ray technician
- ECG technologist and operation theatre technical staff
- Support staff including data entry operators and security personnel
District Health Officer Dr PC Kumaraswamy confirmed that comprehensive proposals for necessary equipment, infrastructure, and staffing have been submitted to the state government through the deputy commissioner. The department is currently awaiting government approval and funding allocation.
Additionally, a proposal to depute postgraduate medical interns from Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute remains pending with the health department. Former District Hospital surgeon Dr Pashupathi revealed that a proposal to establish a BSc nursing and paramedical college within the hospital premises has also been submitted to the government.
Dr Pashupathi emphasized that "setting up such a college would not only help train students but also ease pressure on the hospital staff, ensuring better services to patients" - highlighting the potential long-term solution to the staffing crisis.
The situation at Mysuru's district hospital represents a critical gap between healthcare infrastructure development and operational capacity, leaving thousands of patients without access to comprehensive medical services despite the availability of a modern facility.
