Women's Commission Chairperson Visits Shivamogga Facilities, Hears Concerns

In a hands-on assessment of women's welfare services, Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary spent Saturday visiting key facilities in Shivamogga, listening directly to women's concerns about healthcare delays and police responsiveness.

Hospital Inspection Reveals Systemic Delays

At McGann Hospital, Choudhary moved through wards asking pointed questions about the realities women face when seeking medical care. The responses were troubling—multiple women described hours-long waits for basic services, being forced to purchase medicines from outside pharmacies, and frustrating delays in receiving lab results.

She didn't just listen. Choudhary immediately instructed hospital officers to prevent pregnant women from waiting in queues for extended periods and demanded additional registration counters to ease bottlenecks.

Confronting Administrative Shortcomings

Choudhary confronted Dean Dr. Ramesh Babu and Medical Superintendent Dr. Thimmappa about the persistent complaints, insisting they provide patients with proper care and facilities. Her attention then turned to the women performing cleaning work—she asked about their salaries and entitlements, ensuring even support staff felt seen and heard.

Police Station Infrastructure Review

At the Women's Police Station, the chairperson shifted focus to law enforcement responsiveness. She examined infrastructure facilities and pressed officers about ongoing investigations into missing women cases and other criminal matters. Her instructions were clear: respond promptly to women's grievances and register complaints without unnecessary delay.