Sir,

This has reference to the news item “Be prepared to increase oxygenated beds, ICUs and ventilators: District Minister” (SOM dated May 15). People are running from pillar to post to find beds with health infrastructure to escape from the deadly second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Many have died while searching for timely medical attention for days together.

This huge building belonging to Mysuru City Corporation was serving people residing in semi-slums like Ganigarakeri, Koramarakeri, Bestarakeri, Darjigalakeri, etc., belonging to various down-trodden communities of Tilaknagar in Mandi Mohalla area in the heart of the city, as a Community Health Centre with maternity facility, polio drops centre, family planning centre, medicine distribution centre etc.

The building is about 30-years-old and has a number of rooms in good condition. Located on Pulikeshi Road near Deaf and Dumb School on Sayyaji Rao Road, it is built in 100’X85’ area and has very good accommodation.

The Centre, being managed by Department of Community Medicine of Mysore Medical College and Research Institute, had two doctors, two compounders, two nurses, a few ayahs and their pay and other expenses for running the health centre was being met by the City Corporation.

The Health Centre was bene-fiting the poorest of the poor people and for the past few years, it has been closed for reasons not available in public domain. People of this area are now forced to travel all the way to N.R. Mohalla PHC for their medical attention and to avail other Government health benefits.

Similarly, another large Centenary Hall constructed about 20 years back to mark completion of 100 years of the Braille Press was never inaugurated and is lying idle ever since. It is located in the premises of the heritage building that houses Deaf and Dumb School which occupies more than 5 acres area on New Sayyaji Rao Road, near Bamboo Bazar signal light. This Centenary building, constructed by spending more than Rs.50 lakh in those days, is lying totally neglected now.

Similarly, the Residential Schools (now closed due to pandemic) for Deaf & Dumb children have large number of class rooms and can be temporarily converted into emergency covid treatment centres. There are two large kitchens also within the premises.

I appeal to the District Minister, Deputy Commissioner, MP and MLAs to visit the above neglected Government buildings within the central business district, repair them on a war-footing and convert them into well-equipped oxygenated beds, ICUs with ventilators and NCD health care centres so that untimely deaths due to paucity of these facilities can be avoided.

– Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, Social Activist, Tilaknagar, 20.5.2021

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