Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader has warned that doctors at government hospitals will face strict action if they prescribe medicines that patients must purchase from outside, saying the practice places an unfair burden on poor families. He issued the warning during a progress review meeting with health and minority welfare officials and staff in Hiriyur on Friday.
Khader said the government was supplying all medicines required by patients at government hospitals. Asking doctors to buy medicines outside despite that supply, he said, amounted to exploiting poor people and should not continue.
The minister directed doctors and staff to focus on providing quality services to patients, maintain punctuality and compulsorily record their attendance. He said strengthening government hospitals meant ensuring better healthcare for poorer residents, and instructed officials to ensure that programmes implemented by the Health Department were followed strictly.
Khader also said administrative medical officers would be held responsible for lapses occurring in government hospitals. He asked doctors and other staff to understand their responsibilities and treat patients courteously. The directions place hospital-level administration at the centre of accountability for service quality and compliance with departmental instructions.
The review meeting was held at the city municipal council hall. Those present included Chitradurga MLA Veerendra Pappy, Deputy Commissioner Ramya, District Health Officer Dr Sunil Kumar, Health Department Deputy Director Dr Ranganath, Dr Abhinav, Minority Welfare Department Deputy Commissioner Rekha, KMDC Managing Director Mehboob Ali, Waqf Officer Amjad, Taluk Health Officer Dr Mahesh, Tahsildar M. Siddesh and Municipal Commissioner A. Vaseem.
Khader also discussed the proposed opening of the high-tech hospital constructed on Dindavara Road in Hiriyur. He said he would discuss the hospital’s launch with officials and take steps towards starting operations. The minister added that the existing hospital would be retained for serving patients, indicating that both facilities are intended to continue providing healthcare services.
The minister’s directions connect medicine availability, staff conduct, attendance and administrative responsibility within the functioning of government hospitals. The next steps identified at the meeting are discussions with officials on starting the new hospital and the continued implementation of Health Department programmes.
