Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Nov 7: Health and Family Welfare minister U T Khader has announced plans to establish a government-run In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) centre at Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangaluru at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore. He also announced a Rs 35-crore project to upgrade the Moodbidri Community Health Centre into a fully fledged taluk hospital.
Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, Khader said the proposed IVF centre was aimed at making fertility treatment accessible and affordable, particularly for women from economically weaker sections who cannot afford the prohibitively high cost of treatment at private hospitals.
He pointed out that infertility often subjects women to emotional distress, social pressure and difficulties within families. Although the government had fixed a rate of Rs 60,000 under an existing scheme to facilitate IVF treatment at private hospitals, many hospitals had not come forward to participate, as the actual cost of treatment at private facilities ranged between Rs 2 lac and Rs 5 lac.
"Many women face humiliation and emotional suffering because they are unable to conceive. While financially well-off families can afford IVF treatment at private hospitals, others are unable to bear the expenses. Therefore, we have decided to establish IVF centres in government hospitals with the support of qualified specialists," he said.
The minister said the government was also considering introducing IVF facilities at selected major centres, including Mangaluru, Bengaluru, Hubballi and Kalaburagi.
A team of doctors has been constituted to assess the infrastructure, technical requirements, training needs and staffing arrangements necessary to implement the initiative. The project is expected to be rolled out in phases, with a pilot programme planned at selected government hospitals.
Moodbidri Hospital to get major upgrade
Turning to healthcare infrastructure, Khader said the Moodbidri Community Health Centre would be upgraded into a taluk hospital under a Rs 35-crore project. The initiative is expected to strengthen medical facilities and improve access to healthcare for people in and around the region.
He also highlighted the need to strengthen healthcare services in Bhatkal, pointing to the inadequacies of the existing taluk hospital and the long distances patients are forced to travel to access advanced medical treatment.
The government, he said, was taking steps to improve healthcare infrastructure across the state through measures such as upgrading primary health centres and establishing Grama Care Centres.
Voter list discrepancies must be reported in writing: Khader
On discrepancies in electoral rolls, the minister stressed that voter lists must be accurate and contain the names of all eligible voters in their respective constituencies. Any errors, omissions or objections should be brought to the notice of the deputy commissioner through formal written representations.
Questioning why public representatives who had received complaints had not submitted formal letters to the State Election Commission or the deputy commissioner, Khader said the authorities concerned should be approached for clarification and corrective action.
"The deputy commissioner should provide clarification on the issue. If there are any discrepancies, they must be brought to the notice of the concerned authorities in writing rather than merely making speeches," he said.