First there was the Mysore Zoo's animal adoption programme which showed people donating a goodly sum for the care and maintenance of a bird or deer and get their pictures taken with the animal in question.

Motivated by this, the Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan has come up with this "Adopt a Bed" scheme after his visit to the Cheluvamba Hospital.

The DC was shocked at the atrocious conditions under which patients, mostly from the poorer sections of society, are left to fend for themselves for their daily sustenance. The hospital does not have enough money. This was what the DC discovered when he spoke to the hospital authorities during and after his inspection of the hospital.

Manivannan then thought of suggesting that government officials volunteer to adopt a 'bed' donating Rs. 500 a month. This would go to meet the expenses of the general care of the patient who occupies that bed.

Manivannan obviously got his inspiration from the highly successful community projects like 'Adopt a Tree,' 'Adopt a Flower bed' and an adoption scheme at the famous Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

Meanwhile, the DC learnt from the government doctors that with insufficient grants, they were not able to give the necessary attention for the care and maintenance of patients. They were referring patients to other City Hospitals saying they did not have the necessary facilities at all.

Following these revelations, Manivannan had discussions with Dr. Venkatesh, Director of the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMC&RI), the Medical Superintendent of Cheluvamba Hospital Dr. Krishnamurthy, Dr. Geetha K. Avadhani, K.R.Hospital Medical Superintendent and District Health officer Dr. V. Raju.

Following this initiative, the Cheluvamba Hospital Development Committee (CHDC) has come into being headed by Rotary Mysore President Satish.

Dr. Venkatesh told SOM that the officers here have been asked to motivate other government officers to adopt beds.

The Cheluvamba Hospital has 420 beds and sponsors for 20 beds have already been confirmed, said Dr. Venkatesh and added that the nitty-gritty of the details of the scheme would be worked out.

MBA students case study

Meanwhile, the MBA students of Sri Dharmasthala Majunatheswara Institute of Management Development (SDM-IMD) have selected Cheluvamba Hospital as a case study subject and will submit a report of their findings soon.

The project will be of use for the management of the hospital and the implementation of the bed adoption scheme.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore