Karnataka Firm on State-Run Specialty Care, Debunks Surgery Negligence Claims
Belagavi, Dec 8: The Karnataka government has categorically ruled out the privatization of its super specialty hospitals, seeking to quell public apprehension while simultaneously defending state medical staff against allegations of surgical negligence in a high-profile Belagavi case.
Responding to questions in the Legislative Council from Congress MLC Nagaraj Yadav, Dr. Sharan Prakash R. Patil, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, asserted that the facilities would remain under government stewardship. He emphasized ongoing infrastructure upgrades funded directly by the state.
“The government itself is providing the necessary infrastructure for the super specialty hospitals, which will be further upgraded in the coming days,” Minister Patil stated. “Under no circumstances will there be any question of handing these over to private entities.”
The minister’s declaration comes amid broader debates on public healthcare infrastructure and follows swirling rumors regarding a specific patient case at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) Hospital that had raised public concern.
Ministry Clears Doctors in “Removed Intestine” Allegation
Addressing a separate but related issue, Minister Patil provided a detailed clarification on a controversial case where it was alleged that a patient’s intestine was mistakenly removed instead of an abdominal lump during an appendectomy at BIMS.
The minister presented a different sequence of events. He explained that the patient, noted to be an alcoholic with a perforated intestine in records from a taluk hospital, underwent a necessary appendectomy at BIMS. “During the surgery, doctors did not remove the intestine,” Patil clarified.
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According to the ministerial account, the patient was discharged after two days of observation and was later admitted to a private hospital. It was there, Patil contended, that misinformation about the intestine’s removal originated.
“A committee was formed by the department in this regard. The report has clarified that there was no negligence on the part of the doctors from BIMS hospital,” the Minister said, putting the official stamp on the investigation’s findings. “It has been made clear that there was no medical negligence.”
The twin announcements—affirming the state’s commitment to public super specialty care and exonerating its doctors in a sensitive case—appear aimed at reinforcing trust in government medical institutions. The move signals the administration’s intent to invest in and defend its flagship healthcare infrastructure against privatization rumors and allegations of malpractice.
Key Quotes:
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“Under no circumstances will there be any question of handing these over to private entities.” – Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Minister for Medical Education.
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“The report has clarified that there was no negligence on the part of the doctors… there was no medical negligence.”
