• Raids uncover lapses in maternal care facilities
• Lokayukta sleuths find gaps in scanning services, vacant posts, lack of ultrasound training 

Mandya: Acting on complaints of illegal sex determination and the alleged referral of patients from Government Hospitals to private scanning centres despite the availability of equipment, Lokayukta sleuths conducted raids at several Government Hospitals across the district yesterday.

The raids covered Taluk Hospitals in Mandya, Malavalli, Maddur, Srirangapatna, Pandavapura, K.R. Pet and Nagamangala.

Officials inspected scanning records and other documents during the operation.

The team, led by Lokayukta SP Suresh Babu  and comprising officials from Mandya, Ramanagara and Chamarajanagar, carried out simultaneous inspections at the hospitals and offices of Health Department officials.

Sources said discrepancies were found in records at several Taluk Hospitals and Department offices. During the inspection, officials noted that the Department of Health and Family Welfare had failed to submit mandatory inspection reports of scanning centres, which are required once every 90 days.

At Maddur Taluk Hospital, despite ultrasound equipment being sanctioned, the doctor on duty, Dr. Sheela, had not been trained to operate it.

At Srirangapatna, the waiting room for pregnant women was found to lack basic amenities such as ventilation, lighting and drinking water.

Officials also observed that key posts, including that of a Radiologist, remain vacant at several Taluk Hospitals despite the availability of scanning equipment since 2017.

Similar shortcomings were reported in Malavalli, Nagamangala and K.R. Pet. Despite repeated correspondence with higher authorities, the vacancies have not been filled. Sources alleged that the delay may be benefiting private diagnostic centres.

The inspection further revealed that Assistant Commissioners in Mandya and Pandavapura had been conducting periodic checks of diagnostic centres. However, some Government Hospital doctors were referring patients to private scanning facilities. Further investigation is underway.

Discrepancies found in documents

Mandya Lokayukta SP Suresh Babu said discrepancies were found in records during the inspections and an investigation has been initiated.

Addressing mediapersons, he said that under the rules, a Police complaint must be filed immediately in cases of teenage pregnancy, with cases booked under the POCSO Act, 2012. “However, this is not being followed,” he noted.

He further said that a private scanning centre in K.R. Pet had failed to record the age of patients undergoing scans. Similar lapses were also noticed in Government Hospitals across the district.

“Our officials are examining the irregularities and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings,” he said, adding that no instances of sex determination were detected during the raids.