Mysuru’s Jayadeva Hospital, a leading government cardiac facility, is struggling with severe overcrowding, as the number of patients has far exceeded its capacity. Dr. K.S. Sadananda, Medical Superintendent, revealed that doctors handling 35-40 patients daily are now managing 75-80. The outpatient department (OPD), designed for 500-600 patients per day, is currently treating over 900 individuals, with nearly 50% of them not requiring cardiac care.
Due to space constraints, some ICU patients are being treated on stretcher trolleys, with 10 trolleys placed in each ICU until a bed becomes available. The situation mirrors that of Bengaluru’s Jayadeva Hospital, where patients from Mysuru, Mandya, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar, and Hassan seek treatment.
Experts recommend implementing a referral system, similar to those used in other countries, to ensure that non-cardiac patients are treated at peripheral hospitals rather than overburdening Jayadeva. They stress the need for well-equipped cardiac units in district hospitals with a 10-bed ICU and cath lab to handle cases like heart failure.
Strengthening medical college hospitals in Chamarajanagar, Hassan, Mandya, and Madikeri could significantly reduce patient load, allowing Jayadeva to focus on critical heart procedures like bypass surgeries, angioplasties, and valve replacements. Without these reforms, doctor fatigue and patient care quality will continue to suffer.
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