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Health minister Patil promises to upgrade Udupi district govt hospital

Udupi: State health minister Shivanand S Pail, has assured to upgrade the Udupi Government hospital as the district government hospital.

Speaking about the hospital the minister said that currently the hospital has sufficient number of medical and para medical staffs. Once the hospital is upgraded, measures will be taken to appoint additionally required staffs. New ambulances will be deployed into service shortly. Nearly 400 doctors and 1,600 nurses have been recruited in the state. Ambulances will also be allotted to Udupi district, he informed.

“Udupi district has the fame of doing the highest blood donation in the state. It is occurring under the leadership of the Mogaveera Community which is admirable. Manipal University providing technical cooperation to them is appreciable, “said the minister.  

Citizens meet the minister

Citizens met the minister and urged him and the government not to hand over Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Maternity and Children Hospital, Udupi, to a private party. BRS Ventures is entrusted with a task of managing the 200-bedded hospital and also another multi-speciality hospital.

Dr P V Bhandary, Udupi convener of the Civic Federation of Save Government Maternity and Children Hospital Struggle Committee said the association is against the agreement. A case in this regard is pending in courts. However, since September 22, the treatment facilities at the old building of the child and maternity hospital has been stopped and made available at the new building. Philanthropist Haji Abdullah had donated the land only for a government hospital. Now a private company is having the stake in the new building. MLA Raghupathy Bhat also met the minister and requested him against handing over the hospital.

However, Mr Patil said that it was a decision that was already taken by the government. He promised to direct the private venture to abide by the suggestions of the citizens and the elected representatives in the area in the process of offering health care.