From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jul 18: After tough talk and a stern warning from Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, the managements of private medical colleges in the city have agreed to offer 50% of beds in their respective hospitals for the treatment of Corona affected patients.
In fact, managements of a few of the private medical colleges have even come forward to offer 80% of the beds and provide the available ventilators.
The Chief Minister held a meeting with the heads and representatives of private medical colleges in view of the continuous spike in COVID 19 infection cases and also deaths on the steps to be taken to contain the spread of the pandemic.
Yediyurappa stressed the need for the managements of the private medical colleges to extend greater degree of cooperation and support to the State Government in its efforts to control the spread of the Corona pandemic and expressed serious concern over the attitude of some of the institutions denying treatment to COVID and non-COVID patients.
The media reports and the harsh reality of the difficulties faced by many patients and the deaths of people due to non-cooperative attitude of the institutes by denying timely medical treatment, which was a matter of serious concern, he said and asked the managements of the private medical colleges and their hospitals to help the State Government to retain its position as a role model in COVID management in the entire country.
The Chief Minister reminded the managements of the private medical colleges to provide around 4,500 beds in their hospitals and take the total availability to 6500 beds including those from government college hospitals. He said it was shocking that some colleges were not providing the number of beds as promised and also about certain lacunae which were noticed by ministers during their visit.
He made it clear that the State Government and the private medical colleges through their hospitals should treat the present situation as a 'matter of grave emergency'’ and do their best respond to the suffering people with genuine human concern. "COVID and Non COVID patients shall not be denied of treatment and the balance in healthcare system shall be maintained,’’ he advised.
The Chief Minister directed them to provide 50 per cent of the beds with effect from tomorrow (Sunday, July 19) itself as there is acute increase in the number of COVID 19 cases reported in Bengaluru. He assured them of all support including providing doctors and nurses, if need be.
The Nodal officers have already been appointed to monitor the availability of beds in these medical colleges.
The Chief Minister directed the officials to issue a notice to Vaidehi Medical College for their absence at the meeting.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwatha Narayan, Revenue Minister R Ashok, Health and Family Welfare Minister B Sriramulu, Tejasvi Surya, Bengaluru South MP, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar and other officials attended the meeting.
Earlier, the Chief Minister participated in an online birth centenary celebration of Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.