From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 19: Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani laid the foundation for establishing a 100-bed super speciality hospital at Hutti Gold Mines campsite in Raichuru district on Wednesday.

The super speciality hospital will be jointly funded by Hutti Gold Mines Ltd (HGML), State Mines and Geology Department through District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Fund and State Labour department.

The camp site already has a 120-bed hospital exclusively for the medical needs of 5000-odd employees of HGML.

As covid-19 cases surged, the minister decided to convert 40-beds into oxygenated beds for the treatment of the patients. The new super-speciality hospital will come to the same campsite.

After laying the foundation for the facility, the minister ordered the HGML authorities to procure a CT scanner immediately.

"This will help detect Covid-19 infections among the people amid the growing number of cases in the second wave of Coronavirus," he said.

Nirani also set in motion to set up a nursing college at Hutti Gold Mines campsite. This will help address shortage and provide placements to nurses and paramedics at hospitals in Raichuru district.

Minister Nirani had earlier announced to set up a Covid Care Centre in the vicinity of the HGML. This will help provide better treatment to the employees of Hutti Gold Mines and people in the surrounding villages that have been witnessing a growing number of Covid-19 cases.

The minister has instructed authorities to stop mining operations in Hutti Gold Mines in order to protect employees from Covid-19 pandemic.

He said it would be very difficult for the miners and other staff to maintain social distancing and other norms while carrying out mining operations underground and moving in a shaft.

The state government was more concerned about the well-being of employees than generating revenue during the public health crisis, Nirani said.