A healthy year, with a few hiccups

BANGALORE: The political instability in the state had a direct impact on the functioning of the health department in. The major development was when the Department of Health and Family Welfare was taken from B Sreeramulu by the Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda. While there has been no major setbacks in the department, it has not taken any significant strides towards achieving distinct results either. Shortage of specialistsThere has neither been any recruitment of specialists for district hospitals across the state or any additions to boost to the poor infrastructure facilities. Health secretary, E V Ramanna Reddy says, “This year too we continued to face the challenge of filling 1,043 vacant posts of specialists. For the first time in the history of the department, we called for direct recruitment of  specialists like gynecologists, orthopedics and surgeons but the problem of shortage still persists.”Unhealthy indicatorsCompared to the Northern states, the Department fared well in bringing down important indicators like Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Mother Mortality Rate (MMR). “But in comparison to Tamil Nadu, it still remains challenge for our state,” says Ramanna Reddy. No Major OutbreakCompared to the last year, the year 2011 witnessed significant improvement in controlling  Malaria, Chikungunaya and Dengue outbreaks. Deaths due to vector-borne diseases was minimal in comparison to previous years.Surprise inspectionsAfter a long stupor, Medical Education Department led by minister S A Ramdas, woke up and conducted several surprise inspections in nearly 20 medical institutions. This hit headlines consistently through the year as staff members were suspended and warned for the poor state of affairs in the hospitals. But, these inspections only provided temporary respite and did not lead to any significant findings or changes. Fund crunch at BMCRIEven after two years of getting autonomous status, four hospitals affiliated to the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) continue to struggle to manage with the available annual government grants of `110 crore. Despite user charges levied on patients, the hospitals have not been able to generate funds by its own and continue to seek the support of government funding.New lawsThe new rules governing food safety and standards were implemented in the state by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. There was a smooth transition (in the implementation) from the Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Act, 1954, to the new Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.KMC electionsAfter a gap of 17 years, Karnataka Medical Council elections were held this year amid several controversies. The medical education department is yet to finalise the name of the council president.