Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SV)
Udupi, Oct 26: District in-charge minister, Pramod Madhwaraj addressed the press meet at his house, Ammunje, here on Wednesday, October 26, regarding the privatisation of district Maternity and Children Hospital.
On occasion, the minister said, "On Sunday, October 30, the chief minister will lay the foundation stone for the proposed project, that is, a development of the district maternity and children hospital by BR Shetty Healthcare. The main intention of this project is to provide quality health care to citizens, besides reaching the poorer section of the society."
He also added, "The government has given permission for navigating this project. Through this, the government will provide Universal Card to all people including BPL card holders to those from backward classes. Treatment will be a hundred percent free of cost."
He said, "BJP members have decided to show black flags to chief minister Siddaramaiah, on Sunday. This shows that BJP has no concern for the poor."
He further said the proposed project would be completed within one year from the day of the groundbreaking ceremony.
Dwelling further on the proposed project, he said, "Dr B R Shetty, a native of Udupi, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, has established his health care and other business empires in Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. At the same time, he always expressed his keen interest in replicating this 'healthcare for all' model in his hometown. He thus approached the government to build a new maternity and children hospital in Udupi, on a land of approximately 3.88 acres, thereby aiming to increase the bed capacity threefold from the existing 70 to 200 beds and equip the hospital with the latest diagnostic and treatment machinery."
"The hospital will provide quarters for the staff and quality service to the poor patients of Udupi, abiding by the norms of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka. The land has been leased to Dr B R Shetty for 30 years. A Supervisory Committee is to be formed including the district health officer, district surgeon and an engineer from B R Shetty group," said the minister.
District health officer Rohini, Engineer of B R Shetty group Nagesh Hedge, district surgeon Madhusudhan Havanje, were present at the press meet.