Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Apr 23: Former Indian cricket team captain and brand ambassador of Manipal Hospitals Rahul Dravid launched Manipal Arogya Card at TMA Pai hall in Mangaluru on Tuesday, April 23.
Speaking at the launch event Rahul Dravid said, “I am very pleased to come to Mangaluru. It has been a good association with Manipal Hospitals. It has made a great social impact and brought positive transformation in the community. The message we want to spread is regarding health schemes. The message should reach to the masses for an affordable health care, especially middle class families will benefit from this. Manipal Hospitals is known for its values and I am very happy to be associated with this brand.”
“Manipal Hospitals has made a social impact with high standard professionalism, growth and excellence,” said Rahul Dravid.
When asked about Indian team squad for the World Cup, Dravid said, “We have a good and balanced team for the world cup. It is all about performing, executing in the biggest event. We stand in the second position in the world and the performance of the team in the last two years shows and brings about confidence.”
When asked about growth of Karnataka players, Dravid replied, “There are many talents in Karnataka team. There was a time when Karnataka players dominated in the national team. There were some good years and some bad years for the Karnataka team. Last couple of years we have won about 5-6 titles which is a good sign. Karnataka team has done well in Ranji but they could not make it to finals. However, they won T-20 championship.”
When asked about Mangaluru cricketer K L Rahul, Dravid said, “He has been performing really well and scoring runs in all three formats. He is learning and improving his performance day by day.”
Reacting to a question regarding Virat Kohli’s captaincy Dravid said, “He is a good captain and the performance in Australia is commendable. Indian team ranking speaks for itself. Credit must go to the captain, the coaching staff and management. When you look at the Australia series, Virat was as good as anyone.”
Manipal Arogya card was introduced in the year 2000 by Manipal Academy of Higher Education with an aim to make quality healthcare treatment affordable to the public. It offers benefits on complete range of healthcare services. The benefits include discounted consultations with any specialist doctor any number of times during the year, laboratory investigations, CT\MRI\Ultrasound, OP procedures, normal and caesarean delivery, admission charges, bed and nursing charges, surgeries at ultra-wards (semi-special and special), health check packages and diabetic food management to name a few. By paying a small amount, anybody can become a member and avail the facilities.
The scheme launched initially was applicable in Manipal Group of Hospitals in coastal Karnataka which includes 5 hospitals namely KMC Hospital and KMC Hospital Attavar, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi and Dr TMA Pai Rotary Hospital, Karkala and two dental colleges namely Manipal College of Dental Sciences.
Pro chancellor Manipal Academy of Higher Education Dr H S Ballal, regional chief operating officer KMC hospital Saghir Siddiqui, chairman Manipal hospital Dr Sudharshan Ballal and others were present.