Koppal: Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences has had a temporary director for years. Now the government has appointed Dr DD Bant from KIMS, Hubballi, again on temporary basis. This has triggered Koppal doctors and activists to question why a doctor from Hubballi should be at the helm of the institute and not a doctor from Koppal itself.
Koppal MP Sanganna Karadi has also objected to the appointment of Dr Bant.
With these developments, the appointment of a director for KIMS, Koppal has become an issue for the government.
Karadi told TOI that he has written two-three letters to the medical education minister objecting the appointment of Dr Bant.
“There were many complaints against Dr Bant during his tenure as the director of KIMS, Hubballi. He had also worked as a director at KIMS, Koppal in the past and his service was not up to the mark. The district administration had also complained about his performance. KIMS, Koppal has many eligible doctors for the director’s post and the government should consider them in the interest of the organisation” he added.
Gururaj Desai, a social activist in Koppal, said the medical education minister should consider the issue very seriously. “If the government continues with its decision, it may affect the healthcare services of the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, sources in KIMS, Koppal said a group of doctors has also approached the medical education minister demanding the appointment of a doctor from KIMS, Koppal itself. “In a letter, they have said that eligible doctors from same organisations are being appointed as directors at other institutions but only KIMS, Koppal, is getting directors from other organisations,” said sources.
When contacted, Dr DD Bant said the government has issued a group order but he has not yet been issued the individual order. “I don’t want to respond to one’s statements but will surely obey the order issued by the government,” he added.
Medical education minister Sudhakar was unavailable for comment and did not respond to messages.