Amid speculation that the state-run super-specialty hospital in Belagavi has been handed over to KLE Hospital, Dr. Ashok Shetty, Director of Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), clarified that the hospital has already been functional for the past four months and continues to be run by BIMS.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Shetty said, “It is a wrong assumption that KLE has taken over. We have already started services at the super-specialty hospital. For the past four months, patients have been admitted, surgeries are being conducted in our nine modular OTs, and all administration is handled from my office located in the new building itself.”
Hospital Services Already Underway
Dr. Shetty outlined the progress made:
- A cardiologist has joined, with the cath lab set to start in 10 days, including procedures like stenting.
- A senior neurosurgeon has begun services, with associate and assistant professors handling additional neurosurgery duties.
- Departments such as medical and surgical gastroenterology, nephrology, urology, endocrinology, and paediatric surgery are functional with specialists in place.
- Except for plastic surgery and neuro-fusion, all super-specialty branches are operational.
He explained that some doctors, including assistant professors, have already joined temporarily. However, permanent appointments are pending due to government backlogs and salary issues. “Super specialists expect a minimum of ₹6 lakh salary. Until government approvals are cleared, we are managing with temporary arrangements,” he noted.
Clarification on KLE’s Role
Dr. Shetty confirmed that discussions with KLE Hospital were initiated earlier, when the hospital lacked specialists. KLE had then offered to provide doctors free of cost. While an MoU was expected to be signed this week, the meeting has now been postponed to Monday.
“The MoU is only to allow KLE doctors to conduct OPDs at our hospital when needed. If facilities are available, surgeries are performed here itself; if not, patients are referred to ABRK. But patients are free to choose where they wish to go. Saying that KLE is running the hospital is absolutely incorrect,” he clarified.
Awaiting Government Nod for Permanent Staff
The Director stressed that the hospital is ready in all respects and is awaiting government approval for permanent appointments. “Once the backlogs are cleared and permissions granted, we will immediately begin hiring super-specialists on a permanent basis. Till then, we are handling it with our own team,” he said.
The ₹140-crore hospital, inaugurated in December 2022, houses 290 beds, eight hi-tech operation theatres, and 20 general wards. With several departments already active, Dr. Shetty asserted that the facility is poised to become a major healthcare hub for Belagavi division once staffing is fully formalized.