R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Jun 10: Health minister U T Khadar on Tuesday June 9 paid a surprise visit to the taluk government hospital here and took the staff and doctors to task. He personally inspected the problems and shortcomings in the hospital and warned the concerned.

He saw that the attendance was not marked by the nurses. He found that six nurses had taken leave on the same day even though there is a threat of communicable diseases spreading with the onset of monsoons. The minister warned the medical officer of disciplinary action if such a thing repeats.

He advised the nursing students who had come for training to be polite with the poor patients waiting for treatment. He held discussions with medical officer Dr Jnanesh Kamath about problems facing the hospital and lack of basic facilities. He expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the hardships faced by patients.

Former MLA H Gopal Bhandary, municipal council president Rehmath N Shaikh, chief municipal official Rayappa, members Subheeth N R, Vivekananda Shenoy, Shubhada Rao, Mohammed Sharif, block Congress president Sudhakar Kotian and others were present.

Primary health centres to remain open till 8 pm

Health minister U T Khadar said that within the next two months, primary health centres across the state will remain open till 8 pm instead of closing by 5 pm as some of them do now.

He was addressing a press meet at former MLA Gopal Bhandary's office here later in the day.

"There are 2,353 primary health centres in the state, among which only a few function 24 hours a day, while many close by 5 pm. This decision is being taken in the interest of students, coolie workers, farmers and the poor, and already talks have been held with higher officials in this regard. The move will be implemented in the coming days," Khadar said.

"Every year 6,645 new doctors graduate from medical colleges in the state. Among them, as per the order of the state government, two additional doctors can be assigned for each of 2,353 primary health centres. They will be given suitable remuneration," he added.

"The people-friendly schemes introduced by chief minister Siddaramaiah have reached the public and this was evident in the recent gram panchayat eections where people have voted for a majority of Congress-backed candidates. The opposition parties should stop protesting everything and criticising for the sake of it, and instead engage in some constructive criticism. Opposition parties have a right to criticize, but it should have people's welfare at heart. We (state government) are not afraid of the opposition parties and their criticism," he said.

'Success comes with sincere hard work, patience, determination'

"We will achieve success in life when we are sincere, hardworking, patient and determined. When we work hard with a vision, our problems get solved one by one in stages," said health minister,U T Khadar.

Minister Khadar was speaking as the chief guest in the meeting held by Muslim Central committee Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district at Prakash Hotel auditorium on Tuesday June 9. He gave suggestions to look for ways to solve problems facing the community.

"Disturbances are spreading in the society and the youths should fight against them. We should not allow entire society be affected by just 5 percent of the people. When 95% people want peace, harmony and coexistence, they should defeat the remaining five percent with truth, peace and non-violence," he said.

“Instead of using our religion for selfish goals, politics and language, each one of us should be determined to strive for the progress of the county. When we march ahead taking the advice of the elders, thinkers and intellectuals, we are bound to succeed. There is no doubt that the society will identify and lift us to the peak when we try to work for the progress of the society," he further said.

"Women had lagged behind in education. However with changing times, we can see women reaching the peak of success. It is necessary that men too should move along with them. In this respect, we should develop the habit of considering both men and women as equals," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mangaluru north constituency MLA Mohiuddin Bava said, "Groups and associations play a prominent role in ensuring that privileges provided by the government reach the people. In this regard the work of the Muslim Central Committee for welfare of the downtrodden and poor people is praiseworthy. Let their social work be an example for others."

Mangaluru MUDA president Ibrahim Kodijal said, "The Muslim Central Committee in 1968 consisting of leaders in undivided Dakshina Kannada district consisting of Haji M C Ahmed, Haji Mohammed Kamal, B M Hassan Haji, Haji C Kunjapakki, B Ahmed Haji, Haji Moidin had strived to improve the religious, financial and social status of the community. The committee was formed to maintain peace and serve the nation. We have to make this grow."

Udupi district Wakf committee president Yahya Nakwi gave information on the Wakf property, donations received and spent, cemetery, problems of mosques and Madrasas and compensation. The minister also received information from the representatives of Madrasas.

Former minority commission president and Muslim committee president Haji K S Mohammed Masood who presided over the programme, district vice-president Karkala Muslim Jamath president K S Imthiaz Ahmed, chief secretary Hanif Haji, former Mangaluru Mayor Ashraf, Udupi district Muslim union president Ashfaq Ahmed, Bhasha Saheb Kundapur, Jamiyathul Falah Dakshina Kannada and Udupi joint secretary Mohammed Sharif Banglegudde, Udupi taluk president Shafiulla Khazi, former president Parkala Haji Abdulla, Mumtaz Ali Krishnapura, former corporator Aboobacker Haji, Bappalige Mohammed Haji, Riaz Haji and Mohammed Salim were present.