Author: Udbhavi Balakrishna
The state government of Karnataka has designated Isolation Hospital in Indiranagar, Bengaluru, and Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru as referral hospitals for suspected monkeypox cases. With the World Health Organization declaring monkeypox a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, all health facilities in the state have been directed to isolate and manage any suspected cases. Surveillance measures at airports and the seaport include identifying travelers from affected countries or those with a history of contact with a known monkeypox case. Clinical samples will be transported to the Virus Research And Diagnostic Laboratory in Bengaluru. Individuals testing positive for monkeypox will be…
In his recent Independence Day address, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted the issue of delayed fund allocation to states and urged the union government to release fair grants for development. He emphasized the importance of upholding Constitutional principles and respecting the people’s mandate in a democratic system. Siddaramaiah also paid homage to freedom fighters and stressed the need to preserve political, social, and economic freedom for all citizens. He assured that the government’s five guarantee schemes, focusing on redistribution of wealth and Universal Basic Income, will continue to benefit the people. The Chief Minister outlined various initiatives by the state…
Bengaluru: Resident doctors in government medical colleges across Karnataka are set to begin an indefinite protest on Monday, demanding a stipend hike and a reduction in college fees. They plan to halt non-emergency services like outpatient departments and elective operations. The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) claims the protest is a result of the state government’s lack of response to their appeals. The doctors argue that they pay some of the highest fees in the country, with postgraduate courses costing at least Rs 1.13 lakh per year and super-speciality courses costing Rs 2.27 lakh per year. Despite this, their…
Bengaluru’s Victoria Hospital Faces Drug Shortage and Lack of Funds: Lokayukta Inspection A recent surprise inspection by Lokayukta officials at state-run Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru uncovered a severe shortage of essential drugs and alleged lack of funds to procure them. The inspection, led by Lokayukta Justice B S Patil and other officials, revealed patient complaints about improper treatment, absent duty doctors, and non-availability of crucial medicines like Aspirin. Reports from the inspection teams highlighted issues such as doctors running private practices, long patient wait times, cleanliness concerns, and PG students providing treatment in the absence of duty doctors. The hospital…
Uncovering Labour Violations at Victoria Hospital A recent fact-finding report by the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) revealed widespread labour violations at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. The investigation, conducted from May 13 to 16, exposed issues such as delayed wage payments, unequal pay, lack of appointment orders, and limited access to medical treatment for contract workers at the hospital. During the probe, it was found that workers were not provided with sufficient time off or entitlements like paid leave, leading to exploitation and financial instability. The report also highlighted instances where workers’ wages were deducted due to infections…
In the midst of a surge in dengue cases in Karnataka, the state health department is considering reaching out to the Centre for more clarity on dengue vaccines. While there is currently no approved vaccine for dengue in the country, the state health department is open to exploring the possibility of seeking approval for a vaccine. State health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has instructed officials to investigate existing vaccines in other countries and assess their viability in Karnataka. This information will be compiled into a report that may be submitted to the Centre as a recommendation for a dengue vaccine.…
The medical community in Bengaluru is facing a puzzling situation as hospitals report an increase in patients exhibiting dengue-like symptoms but testing negative for the disease. Doctors attribute this to early testing, as symptoms may mimic dengue before the virus is detectable. Despite a rise in suspected cases, only a fraction test positive for dengue, raising concerns over the accuracy of testing methods. Dr. Sheela Murali Chakravarthy and Dr. Aravinda G M shed light on the challenges of diagnosing dengue and emphasize the need for careful monitoring of patients with negative test results. They warn against the misuse of antibiotics…
Revolutionizing Mobility in Bengaluru with Enroute: A MaaS Challenge Exciting news for mobility-focused startups in Bengaluru! WRI India, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), and Villgro have joined forces to launch Enroute, a Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) challenge. This initiative aims to leverage open data from city bus and metro agencies to enhance user-centric mobility applications and improve transit experiences. Enroute, unveiled by former Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda, seeks to digitally enable 15-minute neighborhoods, increase public transport usage, and reduce waiting and commuting times. By integrating transit data such as ridership figures and ride fares from BMTC and BMRCL, startups are…
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) has confirmed that Pushkar Pharma’s seven eye and nasal solutions are safe for human use despite a logo error. The products passed rigorous testing and were distributed to state medical facilities. KSMSCL Managing Director Chidananda Sadashiva Vatare assured that the products were specifically manufactured for human use and met industry standards. The error in the logo was identified after distribution, but it did not affect the quality or safety of the products. A purchase order of Rs 62,89,576 was issued in October, and the logo discrepancy was noticed in January. Pushkar…
Despite promises from the state government and the BBMP to de-clutter stormwater drains and remove encroachments after the 2022 flash floods, many neighborhoods in Bangalore remain flood-prone as monsoon season approaches. Areas like Blessing Garden Layout, Byrathi, and Rainbow Layout, Munnekolala, are still struggling with flooding, with homes abandoned and property values dropping. Residents express concerns over unfinished drainage projects and the risk of overflow during heavy rains. In Marathahalli’s Spice Garden and Esteem Northwood Housing Society, commercial establishments and high-end villas are also facing flooding issues despite significant investments. Amarnath, an architect, regrets his decision to buy a villa,…