Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Apr 11: Youth Congress president Mithun Rai has warned of protest against district administration if more private hospitals in the district are allowed for the medical treatment of outsiders from Kerala.

In a press release, Mithun Rai said, "Dakshina Kannada district administration has already permitted K S Hegde Hospital for the treatment of non-coronavirus patients from neighbouring states. This is done to facilitate treatment of patients who suffer from cardiac related ailments to get quick and timely treatment.

Mithun Rai

"There are many taluks in Dakshina Kannada district. People of taluks like Beltangady, Sullia, Kadaba, Puttur, Bantwal and Moodbidri depend on private hospitals of Mangaluru during sickness. If the district administration allows more private hospitals for the treatment of patients from neighbouring states, bowing to pressure from the BJP government, there is no doubt that people of our district will suffer.

"The people of Dakshina Kannada district have already shown their concern for the people of Kasargod and given K S Hegde Hospital for their treatment. There are chances that even patients who are infected with coronavirus may land in the hospital for treatment. This will have adverse effect on the health of the doctors and nurses who are serving in that hospital.

"Out of the people arriving from gulf countries to Mangaluru, 65 per cent are from Kerala and 35 per cent from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Asha activists of Dakshina Kannada have strictly followed quarantine of these people in a disciplined manner and prevented the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. But as travellers from Kasargod did not follow home quarantine rule of Mangaluru International Airport in their district, the number of coronavirus infections are more in Kasargod district.

"Even the neighbouring districts of Udupi, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru also depend on private hospital of Mangaluru when they have sickness and emergency. Hence, the district administration and state government should work without succumbing to the pressure of private hospitals in the city.

"If the district administration allows more private hospitals to open up for patients of neighbouring states, we will resort to protest,” stated Mithun Rai in the press release.