A surprise visit to Victoria Hospital by Upa Lokayukta B.S. Patil late last month revealed several irregularities in the functioning of the pharmacy, improper disposal of used bottles and garbage, and haphazard parking of ambulances on the hospital premises. The most common complaint from patients and attenders was the non-availability of doctors.
Exercising suo motu powers under Section 7(2) and 9(3)(a) of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, 1984, Mr. Patil directed the Director-cum-Dean of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute and medical superintendent of Victoria Hospital to look into the deficiencies, take corrective steps, and submit a report within four weeks.
He also directed to submit a report on steps taken to address the same, specifically on the procedure regarding receipt of medicines, how the medicines are given to different departments or out-patient departments. The medical superintendent has also been directed to submit details of officers entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness inside the hospital and in the premises outside, steps taken to prevent parking of private vehicles and ambulances inside the hospital campus, apart from steps taken to fill vacant posts of doctors, specialists and support staff, and to increase the number of sanctioned posts.
