Who will cure Karnataka’s healthcare sector problems?

Karnataka has around 4000 hospitals and only 119 are recognised by the authority that checks the quality and patients safety. Health Minister of Karnataka K R Ramesh Kumar set the deadline for February this year to improve the infrastructure of the state’s healthcare sector. 

Karnataka happens to be one of the top three states in India that produce the maximum number of doctors every year yet Karnataka is infested with a number of health issues. From concerning a low number of doctors to infrastructural inadequacies, Karnataka’s healthcare section needs treatment.

According to recent data, Karnataka has around 4000 hospitals, out of which only 119 hospitals have been recognised by National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) which is a constituent board of the Quality Council of India. This board recognises hospitals by their healthcare quality and patient safety.  

In other words, out of the total hospitals in the state of Karnataka, only 119 have been able to maintain quality and safety of the patients. 

Apart from the number of doctors and hospital quality the other important aspect of healthcare is infrastructure. In October 2016, Health Minister of Karnataka K R Ramesh Kumar set the deadline for February this year to improve the infrastructure of the state’s healthcare sector. 

However, no concrete action has been taken in this direction. From organ transplantation facility to mortuaries to cafeterias for subsidies food, all areas need urgent attention and improvements.  

Now, the problem of infrastructure is a complicated one since it requires maintenance by trained professionals for which government initiated skill-development programmes are needed. 

Serious cases of medical negligence keep on grabbing media headlines frequently in Karnataka. The state government cannot anymore ignore the severity of the deplorable condition of the healthcare sector in the state.