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Lack of Specialist Doctors Hampers Healthcare Services in Key Karnataka District

Healthcare

Karwar: Karwar, a district housing critical national projects, continues to struggle with inadequate healthcare services due to a severe shortage of specialist doctors. Despite growing calls for the establishment of a well-equipped multi-specialty hospital, the current healthcare system is hampered by vacancies and staffing issues across key government hospitals.

At present, Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KRIMS) and the district’s 11 taluk hospitals have only 68 of the 104 required specialist doctors, with 36 positions still unfilled. These vacancies are concentrated in critical specialties such as anaesthesia, orthopaedics, paediatrics, and dermatology. The shortage of specialist staff is causing a significant gap in patient care, forcing many to travel to neighbouring cities or states for advanced treatment.

The shortage of cardiologists and neurologists in the district means that patients requiring complex treatments must often travel to other cities such as Hubballi, Mangaluru, Udupi, or even Goa. This is particularly evident in smaller hospitals like Pandit Government Hospital in Sirsi, which lacks a physician altogether, leaving patients with limited options for care.

The situation at Mundgod Taluk Hospital is equally dire, with no general physicians or obstetricians-gynecologists (OB-GYN) available, resulting in a heavy reliance on private healthcare for the most basic needs. In addition, the absence of cardiologists has left heart patients without the critical care they require, and the unavailability of ENT specialists, due to extended leave, is compounding the challenges.

This month, MLA Shivaram Hebbar and District Panchayat CEO Ishwar Kandu conducted an unannounced visit to the Mundgod Hospital. There, Dr. Swaroopa Patil, the health officer, highlighted how the lack of doctors was affecting patient care. This inspection has added urgency to the calls for immediate action, with local leaders and activists demanding that the state government fill the vacant positions and improve healthcare infrastructure.

In Bhatkal, the absence of an orthopedic surgeon has led to patients facing hardships, especially those in need of emergency surgery. They are often forced to seek treatment in private hospitals, incurring high costs. The situation is similar in Yellapur Taluk Hospital, which lacks general physicians, dermatologists, and ENT specialists. Paediatricians are only available three days a week, limiting access to care for children.

At Honnavar Taluk Hospital, long queues of patients waiting for treatment have become a common sight. With positions for surgeons, gynaecologists, and ophthalmologists unfilled, there is mounting dissatisfaction among the public. Dr. Rajesh Kini, the hospital’s administrative medical officer, has admitted that basic medical facilities are also in need of urgent improvement to meet growing patient demand.

Siddapur Taluk Hospital faces a similar problem with a lack of ophthalmologists and dermatologists, a situation that has been ongoing since an eye doctor was transferred two years ago. Additionally, scanning facilities are unavailable, leaving patients with no choice but to go to other hospitals for radiology services.

There is also an increasing demand for a multi-specialty hospital in Kumta, where locals believe that such a facility could save lives, particularly in accident cases. R.G. Naik, president of the Kumta Bar Association, has expressed frustration over the lack of political will to establish this much-needed hospital. Despite the clear need for such a facility, the project remains stalled due to bureaucratic hurdles and lack of attention from policymakers.

In Ankola, another area struggling with a shortage of specialist doctors, residents have voiced concerns over the absence of gynecologists and cardiologists for several years. Local resident Prashant Naik shared his frustration, saying, “We lack emergency care and have to send patients to KRIMS or private hospitals.”

Despite these ongoing challenges, there have been some signs of progress. Dr. Gajanana Naik, the director of KRIMS, confirmed that a cardiologist has recently been appointed, and preparations are underway to set up a cath lab at the institute. This move is seen as a step in the right direction, although many locals believe more needs to be done to meet the growing healthcare demands of the district.

Social activist Raghu Naik has urged the state government to urgently address the pressing need for a multi-specialty hospital in Karwar. In the interim, he emphasised that at least the current vacancies in the district’s hospitals must be filled to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system.

As Karwar grapples with severe healthcare staffing shortages, the need for immediate action from the state government has never been clearer. Filling vacant specialist doctor positions, improving infrastructure, and establishing a multi-specialty hospital are crucial steps in ensuring that the people of Karwar receive the quality healthcare they deserve. Until these measures are taken, patients will continue to face long waits, limited options, and unnecessary travel for critical treatments.

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