Mysore/Mysuru: Accusing the BJP Government of complete failure in the handling of COVID crisis,  former Chamaraja MLA Vasu of the Congress party has demanded a white paper on the availability of beds, ICUs, ventilators, oxygenated beds and other medical infrastructure in Hospitals and the District Administration’s preparedness for tackling the probable COVID third wave, which is expected to strike in a couple of months. 

Briefing presspersons at his residence in Jayalakshmipuram here this morning, Vasu said that Mysuru has a record of good administrators and people’s representatives at all levels. But the current dispensation in the district seems to be an abject failure in handling the COVID crisis.

Stating that higher authorities in the district and people’s representatives are engaged in a war of words even at this critical juncture when people are losing their lives and livelihood due to the pandemic, Vasu contended that Covid control measures were limited only to press meets, reviews and meetings, while not much practical on medical infrastructure improvement  is happening. 

Cabinet berth for Nagendra

Observing that a legislator from the city (Nagendra or Ramdas) should have been made a Minister in the better interests of the people of Mysuru, Vasu said he would have personally preferred Nagendra for a Cabinet berth though he lost to him in the Assembly polls.

Pointing out that experts have warned about the severity of the probable third wave, Vasu questioned the Government on its preparedness to safeguard the health and well-being of citizens.

Alleging that Government Hospitals have very few ventilators and ICUs, Vasu said the Government must be highly thankful to donors who have donated ventilators and other key medical equipment.

Asserting that Mysuru  has the distinction of being the only city in the country to have eight major hospitals within a 2-km stretch on a main road (KRS Road), the former MLA said that several of these hospitals were built by the previous Congress Government headed by Siddharamaiah. 

Govt. owes Rs.20 crore to District Hospital contractor

 Claiming that even years after completion of the District Hospital, the BJP Government had failed in providing medical and other infrastructure, he alleged that the Government owes Rs. 20 crore to the contractor who built the District Hospital. But despite such a big amount due to him, the contractor was large-hearted enough to hand over the  building to the District Administration, he noted.

Arguing that most Government Hospitals have no specialists in Anaesthesia, Pulmonary medicine and Respiratory medicine, which are vital in the treatment of COVID-infected patients, he alleged that the District Hospital did not have a CT Scan facility even when positive cases are rising alarmingly in the district.

Former Mayor B.K. Prakash, leaders Shivamadu, Sundar Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and others were present.