When lights go out: Karnataka doctors takes THIS desperate measures in Trauma center

A distressing incident at a Ballari hospital has ignited concerns over healthcare infrastructure. Patients and families are voicing outrage over severe lapses in infrastructure and staffing, highlighting the struggles faced during a recent power outage.

Emergency Care in the Dark

Doctors forced to use phone torches to treat patients during a power outage. A shocking incident occurred at the District Hospital in Ballari, Karnataka, where a power outage plunged the emergency ward into darkness. Doctors were forced to suture a patient's wound using the light from a mobile phone torch. This highlights the critical lack of essential infrastructure in a facility meant to provide specialized trauma care.

Years of Neglect

The trauma center, established two years ago, has faced consistent complaints. Established jointly by the Union and state governments two years prior, the Super Speciality Trauma Centre has been plagued with complaints since its beginning. The recent power outage has intensified concerns, with patients and their families alleging severe lapses in both infrastructure and staffing. Locals attribute the issues to poor hospital management and a lack of maintenance.

Voices of Frustration

A relative recounts the chaos and lack of immediate response during the outage. A relative of a patient who was rushed to the emergency ward after an accident described the ordeal: "Around 7 pm, the power suddenly went out. There was no immediate response from the hospital staff, and we saw patients struggling. The doctors had no choice but to use a phone’s flashlight to complete the stitches". This account underscores the immediate and direct impact of infrastructure failures on patient care.

Systemic Issues

Broader issues of inadequate resources and outdated systems plague Karnataka's hospitals. The incident at Ballari is symptomatic of wider issues within Karnataka's healthcare system, including medical negligence and delays in patient care stemming from insufficient resources and outdated systems. Doctors are advocating for the upgrade of casualty wards into fully-developed emergency medicine departments, equipped with trained staff and modern protocols. The current reliance on casualty wards managed by medical officers juggling administrative and clinical duties is proving inadequate to handle the high influx of patients.