A primary health centre (PHC) in Karnataka's Vijayapura district was found locked during a surprise visit by a state minister, prompting the immediate suspension of the doctor on duty. The incident occurred on Tuesday when Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao visited the PHC in Kolhar village as part of a routine inspection.
Minister's Surprise Inspection
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao arrived at the PHC around 11:30 am, only to find the facility locked and no medical staff present. The minister expressed strong displeasure over the absence of healthcare services, especially during working hours. He instructed the district health officer to take strict action against the responsible personnel.
Doctor Suspended
Following the minister's directive, the district health officer suspended Dr. Shivakumar, the medical officer in charge of the PHC. An inquiry has been ordered to investigate the circumstances that led to the centre being closed during designated hours. The suspension order stated that dereliction of duty and negligence in providing health services to the public would not be tolerated.
Government's Stance
The Karnataka government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare in rural areas. Minister Gundu Rao emphasized that such lapses in service delivery would be dealt with severely. He also directed officials to conduct regular inspections to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
The incident has sparked discussions about the state of primary healthcare in rural Karnataka, with opposition parties criticizing the government's management. However, the health department has assured that measures are being taken to strengthen PHCs and improve accountability among staff.
