Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/EP)

Udupi, Mar 15: Dr P V Bhandary, the president of Haji Abdulla Charitable Trust and a renowned psychiatrist, has vehemently opposed the government's plan to reinstate the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at the Udupi Mother & Child Hospital. He issued a stern warning of initiating legal campaigns and protests against this decision during a press conference held here on Friday, March 15.

Explaining his stance, Dr Bhandary emphasized that the hospital came under government control after Dr B R Shetty failed to sustain its operations. He argued that reverting to the PPP model, particularly for running the hospital as a medical college, would not be advantageous for the students. Dr Bhandary highlighted that the government could accommodate up to 150 medical seats only if it transformed the hospital into a government medical college. Furthermore, he pointed out that under this arrangement, the government could offer medical education at a significantly lower cost of Rs 59,000 per year, provided students pass the NEET examination.

Accompanying Dr Bhandary at the press conference were Trust vice president Siraj Ahmed, Prof Muralidhar Upadhya Hiriadka, secretary Yogesh Ser, and treasurer Itbal Manna.