Karkala : Has the Taluk Government Hospital in Karkala turned into a maternity home for stray dogs? Well a recent instance wherein a dog has given birth to puppies at the x-ray unit of the Hospital seems to be ascertaining this fact.
The Taluk Hospital which was upgraded a few year ago, had benefitted many patients with improved and better facilities. However since the past few months there were heard complaints that the hospital lagged behind in maintaining hygiene. If staff shortage is one reason, the presence of stray dogs in the hospital premises is another reason.
Just two days ago, a dog has barged into the x-ray unit and has given birth to puppies. People visiting the x-ray unit are inevitably welcomed by the wails of the puppies. It is said no one has so far mustered courage to drive out the dog from the place for fear of being attacked.
The story of the x-ray unit : There is an interesting story behind the starting of the x-ray unit at the hospital. The then Lokayukta Justice Venkatachalaiah who had visited the hospital realised that the hospital did not have an x-ray unit. He immediately took the medical officer Dr Nalini to task and directed to open an x-ray unit. The unit which was functioning as long as Venkatachalaiah was in office, was locked up soon after the officer’s retirement . This led to protests and the later Lokayukta Santosh Hegde who too had visited the hospital had ordered to re-start the unit.
Though the unit is now functioning, it is not bereft of problems. The ceilings are leaking and the place lacks hygiene.
The stray dog menace : It is a fact that several parts of the town too are affected by the stray dogs.Though the TMC had a few days ago embarked upon the task of trapping stray dogs, the same was stalled after intervention of people from Animal Welfare Association or Prani Daya Sangha. The issue even created uproar in the TMC meet
The dogs entering the Taluk Hospital premises is a serious matter and the authorities have been requested to take the problem seriously as it even risk the lives of new borns in the hospital.
