Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Oct 27: The state cabinet, at its meeting on Wednesday October 26, gave its nod for handing over the government hospital along with 3.88 acres of land on which it stands, to BRS Health Research Institute Pvt Ltd owned by Dr B R Shetty. After the cabinet meeting, minister, T B Jayachandra, told the media persons that the cabinet decided to give the hospital on lease with the condition to provide treatment to patients at charges as may be applicable in government hospitals.

The current hospital building would be razed to the ground and in its place, a women and children's hospital with 200 beds, and a 400-bed Centre of Excellence would be constructed. The proposal to hand over the hospital to Dr Shetty had been approved long back by the concerned, but in view of opposition to the same from various quarters, the government has decided to impose certain conditions.

To a question as to whether giving the public property to individuals will jeopardise the interests of common people, the minister clarified that the land is being given on lease, and that Dr B R Shetty wants to build the hospital in memory of his father. He said that this decision of the government is backed by its earnest desire to provide good quality health service. "This move has also boosted private participation in health services," he pointed out.