Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader on Monday issued a stern warning to Arogya Mitras, stating that strict action would be taken against those who fail to ensure eligible patients receive cashless treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka (AB-ArK) scheme. Khader emphasized that Arogya Mitras must intervene whenever empanelled private hospitals attempt to collect additional charges from patients belonging to the below poverty line (BPL) category.
Government Plans to Make Healthcare More Affordable
Khader stated that the government would develop a mechanism to make healthcare more affordable for both above poverty line (APL) and BPL families, aiming to reduce patients' out-of-pocket expenses. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve the state's healthcare delivery system.
Concerns Over Medicine Delays
During a review meeting, doctors raised concerns about delays in the release of medicines, particularly intravenous fluids. They noted that the quarantine period for certain drugs had increased following maternal deaths reported in a Ballari hospital. An official from the logistics department explained that medicines undergo quality testing after reaching government warehouses, a process that takes 30 to 45 days before distribution.
Staff Shortages at PHCs
Doctors attached to primary health centres (PHCs) and urban PHCs across Dakshina Kannada flagged acute shortages of staff nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, and ASHA workers. They argued that these vacancies are affecting healthcare delivery at the grassroots level. The doctors also sought permission for local procurement of medicines, contending that the existing online procurement system does not always guarantee quality and expressing concern over delays.
District Health Officer Dr. H.R. Thimmaiah reported that eight MBBS doctor posts remain vacant across the district's 64 PHCs. Of the sanctioned posts, 38 are filled by permanent doctors, 11 by contract doctors, and 11 by doctors under the compulsory service programme. Only 31 of the 87 sanctioned pharmacist posts have been filled, while 31 of the 81 laboratory technician posts remain vacant, with 10 filled by contract staff.
Administrative Burdens and Ambulance Issues
Doctors said a significant amount of time is spent updating vaccination and health records across multiple government portals and called for dedicated data entry operators. A doctor from Padangady PHC noted that the centre, which oversees seven sub-centres, faces a shortage of auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs). Doctors from Neriya and Kollamogru PHCs also highlighted shortages, with the latter noting that he is managing four PHCs.
A doctor from Thingalady PHC flagged the lack of an ambulance, noting that the taluk headquarters is nearly 15 km away. Khader said the issue would be examined, suggested exploring support from corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds, and directed the DHO to seek assistance from medical colleges.
Priority Actions and Future Review
Khader stated that vacancies for pharmacists and laboratory technicians would be filled on priority and directed PHC doctors to maintain updated data on patients with non-communicable diseases. The minister assured that all issues raised would be taken up at a review meeting in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
