Plans to privatise hospital faces opposition

Plans to privatise hospital faces opposition

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 07, 2016: Speaking to media, the Citizen Forum of Udupi has strongly condemned the privatisation plans of the government women and children hospital and said that government’s move to privatise would be opposed with strong protests. Forum office-bearer K Phaniraj said that the state government in the recent cabinet meeting has decided to hand over the government women and children hospital to an NRI businessman for an upgrade and development of the surroundings. "The landmass of the government women and children hospital is 3.75 acres and the district government hospital has 9.26 acres of land. The land to government women and children hospital was donated by Janab Abdullah Haji for the purpose of charity and to serve the needy. The gift deed (dhana pathra) offered by the philanthropist specifically mentions that the land should not be used for any other purpose except for the health care services to poor. The land is divided into three sections. It would be absolute injustice for the poor patients who suffer owing to the poverty," said Phaniraj.

He also said that the privatisation process has been taken up based on BOOT (build own operate transfer). "As per the information from various sources available, the NRI businessman had demanded the possession of land for 60 years, however, the government has negotiated for the ownership deal of 30 years. The BOOT would be a curse for poor people who come to the hospital to take treatment which is now offered free of cost. For instance, the delivery in any hospital would cost not less than Rs 30,000 and the poor people are not able to afford the cost of the treatment," explained Phaniraj.

He added that, as per the BOOT agreement, it is said that the NRI businessman will build a superspecialty hospital and also a general ward in the area. The superspecialty hospital would be for high class society and the general ward would surely cater to the needs of the middle class and upper middle class.

The citizen forum threatened to approach court if need arises.

Renowned physiatrist Dr P V Bhandari demanded that let the MoU be made public and the transaction be transparent, which would, in no way, harm the interests of the poor. "The government women and children hospital should be upgraded but not at the cost of ownership transfer to the NRI businessman. The proposal was worked out some eight days ago," he added.

The doctor said that the state health minister and also the district in-charge minister would be approached to ask that the proposal supporting the privatisation of the hospital be dropped. "The management and ownership of the hospital should be with the government. As per the memo issued by the chief secretary, there is no sufficient funds with the government to take up the upgrade of the hospital, which is truly disastrous," he remarked.

Meanwhile, members of the Udupi District Muslim Okkutta have also opposed the government’s move to hand over the government women and children hospital to an NRI businessman, enabling the privatisation of the health care amenities.

The general secretary Kasim Barkur added, "The gift deed by the philanthropist Janab Abdullah Haji was purely for the purpose of charity. The land was donated to serve the poor and destitute. The privatisation process would surely affect the true purpose of charity. The government should continue with the ownership," he said.