30-05-2025
Old Hubballi hospital all set to get taluk hospital status
Hubballi: The 100-bedded Old Hubballi maternity and general hospital, currently under the ownership of HDMC, is set to be transformed into a taluk hospital. This matter has been included in the agenda for the general body meeting scheduled on May 31.
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Sources indicate that local MLA Prasad Abbayya formally requested HDMC officials through correspondence, to discuss this transition.
The hospital currently operates with 16 staff members including medical practitioners, nurses, and support staff. Given the current staff limitations, HDMC faces challenges in hospital operations. The construction work at the 100-bedded Old Hubballi hospital is ongoing. The proposal suggests transferring the facility to the health department, and its conversion into Hubballi taluk hospital.
Upon health department acquisition, the facility is expected to be upgraded to match private hospital standards.
Currently, HDMC continues to oversee operations at Chitaguppi hospital.
Sources within HDMC reveal that the Old Hubballi maternity and general hospital, spanning 2,136 square metres was demolished to facilitate its upgrade to a 100-bed facility. The renovation aimed to provide advanced healthcare services to the locals.
The initiative commenced in 2017-18 with a G+3 structural design and an 18-month completion timeline, with an estimated budget of Rs 14 crores.
However, financial constraints hindered the progress. Although HDMC secured partial funding and utilised Rs 7.5 crores, construction activities slowed significantly. The contractor, investing personal funds, halted work pending reimbursement, resulting in minimal progress since then.
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After completion of construction, HDMC will encounter operational challenges in managing the hospital, primarily due to limited enthusiasm from medical professionals and support personnel for contractual positions. The 100-bed facility requires sufficient medical practitioners, auxiliary staff, and technical experts to handle additional services, HDMC sources added.
Considering the financial constraints faced by HDMC in completing and operationalising the hospital construction, local MLA Prasad Abbayya advised HDMC officials to transfer the structure to the health department.
The department would then allocate funds to develop it as a taluk hospital.
HDMC health officer Dr Sridhar Dandeppanavar said that based on the letter from MLA Prasad Abbayya, this matter was on the agenda of the general body meeting.
HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali confirmed that the matter was incorporated into the general body's agenda for consideration. The general body will take the final decision on the matter.
Pic: Finding a solution: Construction work at Old Hubballi hospital has slowed down due to funds crunch. MLA Prasad Abbayya has advised HDMC to transfer the structure to the health department, which would provide funding for its development as taluk hospita
