As there is no single government paediatrician in the taluk, the people are compelled to carry their children to Hassan or Mangaluru for treatment.
The 100-bed Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Public Hospital in the city has been facing an acute shortage of doctors. Seven out of the 15 posts of doctors are vacant. There are no paediatricians, physicians, orthopaedicians and anesthesiologist. The post of the administrative medical officer too is lying vacant. Also, there are no ECG technicians and enough laboratory staffers.
Accidents are common in the taluk as two highways pass through the taluk.
The hospital only provides first aid and the patients have to be moved to Hassan or Mangaluru for detailed treatment. The primary health centres at Hanturu, Horanadu and Kunturu have no doctors.
People have urged to appoint doctors at the MGM Public Hospital.
Currently, Dr Ashwath Babu is the medical officer-in-charge and has been providing necessary facilities, such as dialysis and medical checkup.