Health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that Wenlock District Hospital will soon be declared a regional multispecialty hospital. He was speaking after laying the foundation for a new OPD block, estimated to cost Rs 70 crore, at the hospital on Friday. Several other development projects were also initiated.
Investment and Infrastructure Development
Rao stated that Wenlock Hospital will receive an investment of Rs 96 crore to develop necessary infrastructure through the Karnataka Medical Corporation (KMC). “Negotiations are under way regarding the MoU between the government and the KMC. Accordingly, a new agreement is being signed wherein the KMC will come forward to provide more infrastructure, staff, or necessary constructions for the hospital,” he said.
Agreements with Private Medical Colleges
The health department has also signed MoUs with medical colleges in the district to provide better services to poor patients in government hospitals. Rao expressed concern over like-minded organisations opposing these agreements. “Through the agreements with private medical colleges, poor patients will get advanced service for free. We have made agreements with private medical colleges to provide enhanced medical care in community health centres. Those who oppose and fight against this move on the streets may talk to us and get all their doubts cleared,” he said.
He highlighted that the taluk hospital in Bantwal has successfully conducted two free knee replacement surgeries with support from a private medical college. Earlier, such surgeries were referred to private hospitals. Government hospitals were instructed not to refer such surgeries to private hospitals, he added, noting that currently 90% of knee or hip replacement surgeries are performed in government hospitals.
Care Centres for Endosulfan Victims
The minister announced that the health department will open four more care centres for endosulfan victims in Dakshina Kannada. Currently, the district has two centres. New centres will be opened in Panaje village in Puttur taluk, Kaniyoor in Belthangady, Vitla in Bantwal, and Bellare in Sullia. The government has reserved Rs 1.3 crore to maintain these new centres, which will officially become functional from June 1.
Assembly speaker UT Khader, MLC Ivan D’Souza, district hospital superintendent Dr DS Shivaprakash, and DHO Dr HR Thimmaiah were present at the event.
