Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Mar 2: U T Khader, district in-charge minister inaugurated the newly built MPRL-ONGC anniversary wing Lady Goschen Hospital on Saturday, March 2.

D V Sadananda Gowda, union minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, Dakshina Kannada, Veerappa Moily, MP, Chickballapur and chairman, parliamentary finance committee, Meenakshi Shanthigod, president, zilla panchayat, Ramanath Rai, former state minister, Yogesh Bhat, former MLA, Amaranath Shetty, former state minister, Poornima, local corporator, Prasad, group manager, MRPL, M Venkatesh, managing director, MRPL, Dr Savita and Dr Ramakrishna Rao were present.

Addressing the gathering, Sadananda Gowda said, “The health sector is very important in both government and private administration. It is a prime sector which keeps the entire nation healthy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi having more concern over this sector has given special attention towards it. I thank the management of MRPL as they responded positively when the government asked for help. Dr Veerappa Moily is one of the pioneers of this new facility. He took the initial initiative for the new block over here. The then and current representatives also extended their support for this project.

“Today, the union government is implementing various programmes in the health sector. It has given importance for supply of quality medicine for people through generic shops. As many as 14 AIMS have been sanctioned in the last five years. The government has plans of sanctioning more AIMS for rural areas. Now it is the question of how
people will use these facilities as many are not aware of the same. The health department and related offices have to make sure that the benefits of the government’s health policies reach general public.”

U T Khader said, “Lady Goschen Hospital has a vast history of 170 years. Former MLA Yogesh Bhat had a dream of renovating this hospital. He put his best effort to get funds and sponsors. But Veerappa Moily, who was a petroleum minister in the then union government, noticed it and thought of finding a solution. He shared his plan with the management of MRPL. He successfully convinced the MRPL management and the work began. The state government also decided to support the new building’s construction and sanctioned Rs 10 crore. Now the building is ready. I congratulate MRPL and all departments who worked for this project. I will assure that the state government will sanction more funds for its further development.”

Veerappa Moily said, “It is the fact that I took the initiative for the new building of this hospital. But, I do not want to take credit all alone. The new block is the result of collective efforts of all representatives. The MPs and MLAs of this constituency lent enough support to complete this project. I feel, Lady Goschen Hospital should function as a special hospital under the leadership of MRPL. It is my request to the district administration that if MRPL is willing to take over this hospital, please make an agreement and handover them for its management.”

Vedavyas Kamath, MLA, Mangaluru South, presided over the programme.

Prasad, group manager, MRPL, welcomed the dignitaries and gathering.

About new building

At the basement of the new building, provision has been made for parking and generator. While pharmacy, out-patient ward, health Karnataka department, help desk, lab, X-Ray, scanning are functioning on the ground floor, LT, OT, and NICU section is on the first floor and other equipment are installed in the third, fourth and the fifth floors.

Helping hand from public

Several people came forward and lend their helping hand for the new building. Drinking water unit worth Rs 5 lac was donated by Dilip Jain from Micro Electricals, Dr U V Shenoy from Seva Bharathi trust donated delivery berth and other equipment worth Rs 14 lac, and Dr Shantharam Baliga donated chairs for NICU worth Rs 60,000.

Contribution from MRPL

The five storeyed building of new Lady Goschen hospital was constructed under the aegis of MRPL, which donated Rs 21.70 crore and Rs 10 crore was sanctioned from National Health Mission. Internal and external electrification, two generators, HVAC, two lifts, fire fighting system, OT, ICU, and NICU have been installed. MRPL has donated Rs 1.5 crore in which Rs 89 lac was used for ICU cot, other cots, attender cots, stools, berthing belt and other equipment. Remaining Rs 60 lac was used for bed sheets and other materials.