During the ongoing winter session at Suvarna Soudha in Belgaum, MLA Nara Bharat Reddy brought to light shocking revelations about the state of affairs at Bellary Medical Research Institute (BMRC-BIMS) Hospital. Addressing the House late on Monday night, he demanded immediate action against the mismanagement and corruption that has led to severe disruptions in health services at the hospital.
MLA Reddy, sharing his observations from a recent visit to BIMS Hospital, described the institution as being in chaos, leaving patients and their families in despair. “People are being killed in broad daylight at BIMS,” he exclaimed, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. The hospital, once renowned for its medical services, now faces allegations of corruption, negligence, and poor infrastructure, turning it into a nightmare for the public, he said.
Nara Bharat Reddy highlighted the hospital’s tragic transformation. Once a prestigious institution serving not only Bellary but also districts across Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, it has now become a place of hopelessness. According to Reddy, basic medical services are in shambles. Essential diagnostic equipment such as MRI, CT scan, and X-ray machines are out of order. Of the 14 dialysis machines, only four are operational, forcing critically ill patients to wait indefinitely or seek expensive alternatives elsewhere.
The MLA revealed that patients, mostly from low-income families, are being harassed for money. “If we had money, we wouldn’t come to a government hospital. We would go to private ones,” he said, quoting a distressed patient. He noted that the hospital, which receives annual grants amounting to hundreds of crores, has failed to meet even the most basic healthcare requirements.
MLA Reddy accused the hospital administration of corruption and malpractices, presenting documents in the House to back his claims. He stated that despite the government allocating Rs. 20 crore annually for medicines, patients are often forced to buy medicines worth thousands of rupees from private pharmacies.
Reddy further alleged that the hospital management is colluding with private laboratories, receiving kickbacks for outsourcing blood tests and other diagnostic services. “Work is being done at BIMS for money, but no one cares about saving lives,” he lamented. He also accused the hospital of sidelining experienced staff and replacing them with temporary employees, further deteriorating the quality of care.
In a particularly shocking allegation, MLA Reddy pointed out discrimination against Dalit patients. He claimed that female patients belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) were denied free treatment unless their husband’s name appeared in hospital records. This, he said, was a blatant violation of their rights and further evidence of the administration’s callousness.
Expressing his helplessness despite his position of power, Reddy said he felt heartbroken that he could not save the lives of the poor. He urged the government to immediately suspend the BIMS director and conduct a thorough investigation into the hospital’s operations. “I have documents that show irregularities in outsourcing, and I demand that an investigation team be sent to BIMS Hospital. These culprits are playing with people’s lives, and they should be sent to jail,” he asserted.
Responding to Reddy’s accusations, Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and assured the House that steps had already been taken to address some of the issues. However, the MLA remained unsatisfied, demanding swift and decisive action.
The Minister assured the House that he would bring the matter to the attention of the Medical Education Minister and ensure the necessary actions are taken.
The situation at BIMS Hospital reflects a larger crisis in public healthcare management. For a hospital that serves as a lifeline for patients from rural and urban areas alike, such severe lapses are unacceptable. The demands for immediate accountability and reform at BIMS are not just a political issue but a matter of life and death for thousands who rely on its services.
The government’s response in the coming days will determine whether these voices are heard and whether the institution can be restored to its former glory. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on BIMS Hospital and the urgent need for systemic reforms in Karnataka’s healthcare infrastructure.