On a clear Friday morning, the fourteenth day of November in the year 2014 we set forth on our visit to the taluk hospital of Chintamani accompanied by Dr. Aparna, Dr. Ankitha and Mr. Venkateshappa. Under ideal conditions to hit the road, with the clouds kissing the Kailash Mountains, as we were witnesses to the Vaikunta Kailash itself.

We reached the taluk hospital around 11 am. Our orientation was given by Dr. Jayanthi, who is also the resident OBG specialist. She explained to us the ins and outs of a government hospital at the taluk level. She gave us an in detail explanation of her department. We were informed that the hospital conducted around 250 delivery per month with 60 caesarean section. The numbers used to be a lot higher but since the transfer of the other OBG specialist they have come down. They have an in house anesthetist who is also the administrative medical officer, overseeing the anesthesia for all surgical procedures.

We were shown around the operation theater unit by staff nurse Sharada. The operation theater consists of one major OT, one ophthalmology OT and auto clave unit attached with it. The ophthalmology OT has recent got the addition of an operating microscope with which they hope to provide better care for the patients. They used to conduct general surgeries before but now due to the absence of the surgeon only OBG major procedures are performed.

There are presently an ophthalmologist, ENT surgeon, physician and obstetrician as specialist, whereas before they had a few more specialist like radiologist, orthopedician, pediatrician etc.

They are the main center for taluk to perform autopsies for all MLC cases. Over 100 post mortem investigations are conducted a year even without the presence of a resident forensic medicine specialist.

They cater to the needs of around 300-400 out patients a day along with 80-100 inpatients present in the OBG and medicine wards.

As facilities they have a fully functioning X-ray lab, basic hematology lab and standard USG machine. Though the facilities are there, they are not being utilized to the full extent because of the lack of expert technical assistance or a radiologist. Further investigations are referred to district hospitals in Chikkaballapur, Kolar or Bangalore.

Dr. Jayanthi informed us that since the 108 service has started it has become very easy and convenient to transport critically patients and patients in labor.

They have an ICTC and DOTS center present in the building

They have 20 positions for staff nurse but only 16 have been filled. This is nothing compared to the shortage faced by the security department, who don’t even have a single personnel available to guard the facility.

Further she explained to us the administrative side of running a PHC including the Raksha committee, funding for purchase of drugs, indenting drugs, maintanence of the building and the politics involved in trying to get these things.

All in all we out enlightened to the hardships and difficulties faced by doctors in a taluk hospital.