Deputy Commissioner Dr. Kumar directed officials to ensure that there is no disruption to health services in the district in view of the March 11 indefinite strike called by the Karnataka Government Medical Association to meet various demands.
Dr. Kumar, who chaired a meeting at his office in Mandya on Wednesday, said that doctors and medical staff have the primary responsibility to ensure continuity of public health services and protect the health of patients. He said the public should not face any inconvenience in accessing medical care.
He ordered that priority be given to pregnant women, infants, the elderly and critically ill patients. Essential services like dialysis, maternity care, ICU facilities and other life-saving treatments must function without interruption, the DC added.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the officials to ensure smooth functioning of the 108 ambulance and referral systems. Compulsory doctors must be appointed at the taluk level and their attendance must be made compulsory.
If necessary, additional doctors can be deployed temporarily and coordination can be established with private hospitals to provide alternative arrangements in case of emergency. Daily monitoring of availability of drugs and medical equipment must be done and help desks should be operational across hospitals, he said.
Every extraordinary event must be reported to the city office immediately. The demands of the associations will be forwarded to the government, he assured.
However, in the interest of public health, Dr. Kumar appealed to the organizations which had declared strikes to resolve the issues through dialogue and avoid strikes. “Public health care is of the utmost importance. It is the responsibility of the medical staff to ensure that patients do not face hardship,” he said.
The district president of the Association of Government Doctors, Dr. Sagar KS, District President of Health and Medical Education Employees Association R. Srinivas, Association Secretary Dr. Srinivasa Reddy, General Secretary Ravi HM, District Government Employees Association President K. Nagesh, DHO Dr. K. Mohan and others.
Published – March 4, 2026 7:47 PM IST
