HUBBALLI: After the appointment of an IAS officer as the administrator of the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) by chief minister B S Yediyurappa, the medical fraternity of North Karnataka expressed shock over the development, as they felt that it will be a threat to autonomous bodies of the healthcare sector in the state.
Saying that there may be some benefits in getting a bureaucrat as an administrator, they said that it will be a major setback for the functioning of medical institutions in the long-run.
They also fear that the government may repeat it in future, whenever a tussle arises in any medical institution in the state.
This is said to be the first instance of a bureaucrat being appointed for a medical institution in North Karnataka.
Dr G B Sattur, member, state Covid experts committee, said that IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biswas has a good record of service, and it’s a welcome step to set things right at BIMS.
“However, by and large, the concept is that a person handling medical subjects and experienced in hospital management should be appointed as the head of a medical institution.
No doubt, IAS officers will be good masters in administration, but they can’t be good in medical issues.
Considering the developments at BIMS, some strict officer was needed to tackle the current situation, but it can’t be generalised in the context of other medical institutions in the state.
However, the BIMS lesson stresses upon the need of a strong watch-dog mechanism at such institutions,” he said.
The director of an institute of medical sciences in North Karnataka expressed concern that bureaucrats never consider the medical sector to be a priority, and always make them run from pillar to post in Bengaluru, to get their work done.
“Their mindset will be for files.
If doctors are ruled by their senior doctors, only then can they work in a comfortable atmosphere.
If some non-medical person comes and questions our duties, it will definitely affect patients and the healthcare sector at large,” he added.
Ottilie Anban Kumar, former governing council member, KIMS, said, “The BIMS case is an instance to prove the necessity of two heads for medical institutions to work in coordination.
Many good doctors lack administrative, leadership and management skills, while IAS officers are unaware of requirements of the healthcare sector.
If doctors who have retired from the army are brought for such posts, they will definitely imbibe discipline in the people working in the medical institution, and create a suitable working atmosphere.”