Mrs Murthy angry at Sassoon

I feel like banging my head against the wall.’’ Sudha Murthy, head of the Infosys Foundation, is very angry with the state governm...

I feel like banging my head against the wall.’’ Sudha Murthy, head of the Infosys Foundation, is very angry with the state government. Here’s why: The Foundation built a Rs 3.5 crore super-speciality wing in the Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) premises here last November, but it’s yet to start functioning.

‘‘If it was Karnataka, I would have gone to Vidhan Soudha and got it done. The facility was built for the poor and we agreed to do it because Sassoon authorities told us they didn’t have space and too many needy patients,’’ says Murthy.

The state government is dragging its feet over equipment and staff to make the complex fully functional. The Indian Express reported about the sorry state of affairs in mid-May and Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar promised to sort out the issue by June. But so far, nothing’s changed.

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Dean of SGH and B.J. Medical College V.L. Yemul, however, is quick to point out that even if the complex is not fully functional, some headway has been made.

‘‘From May 1, we have started special Out-Patient Departments (OPDs) in virology, diabetology and hypertension,’’ says Yemul who admitted that indoor patients were not being admitted. ‘‘Orders for equipment like ventilators, monitors and instruments used for surgery worth Rs 40 lakh have been placed. We will soon receive them.’’

At least 68 posts are vacant for nursing staff, Class III and Class IV employees. Yemul said they could not be sanctioned due to election code of conduct. ‘‘The matter has been taken up with the government and in due course the posts will be filled,’’ he added.

But, in a scathing attack on SGH and the state government, Murthy told The Indian Express from Bangalore: ‘‘I am tired of knocking on government doors. I don’t think anybody cares for the poor.’’

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