No nephrology services at Charaka hospital, dialysis patients directed to Bowring hospital

BENGALURU: The Charaka Superspeciality Hospital, which can give private corporate hospitals a run for their money, has reopened after three years, but shockingly, lacks nephrology doctors. The hospital was set up mainly to treat nephrology and cardiology cases.

When Public TV conducted a reality check at the hospital, the staff said nephrology services are not available at Charaka Hospital and patients would have to go to Bowring and Lady Curzon hospital. When questioned about the availability of a physician, the staffer pointed to a heart specialist and said the doctor also doubles up as a physician.

When questioned, the Bowring Hospital dean gave an evasive answer saying that dialysis services are available in that hospital and there was no need to shift the machine to Charaka Hospital. “Nephrology services are not being offered at Charaka Hospital”, he remarked.

When the hospital, coming under the Medical Education Department, was inaugurated, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said that it will serve the poor for their nephrology and cardiology needs. But now, nephrology patients are being directed to Bowring hospital as the doctor has been posted there.