Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (MS/HB)
Udupi, Aug 8: Family members of the late Haji Abdullah and trustees of Haji Abdullah memorial charitable trust, on Saturday August 7 urged against commercialization of the Government Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Haji Abdullah Mother and Child Hospital and said that the hospital should be accessible and affordable to everyone irrespective of economic status.
Addressing a press meet here, Syed Siraj Ahmed, vice-president of the Haji Abdullah memorial charitable trust, said, "The hospital should not be commercialized under any circumstances. The building should not be moved. Dreams of the late Haji Abdullah should be realized, and everyone should be able to get the services of the government hospital.
Dr P V Bhandary, president of trust said, "August 12 marks the death anniversary of the great philanthropist Haji Abdullah. His charity and service to society are still a model to others. When the land that was donated to the government during his lifetime by Haji Abdullah was handed over to a private party by the Karnataka government in PPP model, the action was opposed by like-minded civilians, members of the save government hospital committee, members of Haji Abdullah family and trust.
"Now BRS group has written to the government that they cannot maintain the government Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Haji Abdullah Mother and Child Hospital. We had already alerted the government that PPP model hospitals have failed in the country. Even then, the then government, in an urgency without foreseeing the consequences, gave the hospital to private party. Today people are concerned that this hospital is not being maintained properly.
"On behalf of the citizens of Udupi we request that the government itself has to take the complete management of the hospital. In addition, Haji Budan clinic, which is at the center of the city should start functioning as before. Our local administration has neglected the Haji Budan clinic without even getting the name board painted.
“In addition, the trust has organized some programmes on August 12, 2021, in memory of Haji Abdullah.”
Iqbal Manna, treasurer of the trust and Hussain Kodibengre, PRO of the trust were present.