Sir,

All of us should have been concerned the way K.R. Hospital has been deteriorating over the years. Like most government institutions (Schools, Universities, Public Sector Companies, Public Libraries), K.R. Hospital has also been suffering because no one is held accountable. All these institutions are not able to practice the most basic management principle of accountability and selecting the competent leader to manage them.

When one reads the reporting of the shocking conditions (SOM dated Jan. 9), it gives a feeling that Lokayukta has taken some important steps to improve the conditions. Over the years many such suggestions have been given but the condition in K.R. Hospital has been going down every year. Almost 25 years back, after studying the conditions along with late Dr. Parpia, I had concluded that K. R. Hospital is the “Final Resting Place” for many patients and not a Hospital to recover one’s health.

Lokayukta has instructed the DC to give surprise visits to the Hospital. Will it result in any improvement? Lokayukta Superintendent has been asked to give a report on facilities available at the Hospital. Will it do any good? Such band-aid type of solutions cannot cure K.R. Hospital. After all, the problems of the hospital are well-known for years.

If we are serious in improving the Hospital, then the top Executive of K.R. Hospital should be given all the power and resources. There should be a supervising board consisting of experts to hold him accountable. The head of the institution should be selected based purely on merit. Unless we bring this reform, improving K.R. Hospital will continue to be a mirage.

– Bhamy V. Shenoy, Mysuru, 10.1.2019

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