Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jul 22: Janaaroghya Andolana Karnataka district unit and Koraga welfare union together staged a protest against the inefficient functioning government hospital and primary health care centers near DC office here on Monday July 22.

Addressing the protest, K B Oblesh, state convener of Janaarogya Andolana - Karnataka said, “The state government is avidly trying to privatize primary health care centers and government hospitals, the areas where the poor depend upon.  Nearly 50% of primary health care centers are already privatized. They also have plans of privatizing the district government hospitals. Hence if this happens it would be a laboratory to the medical practitioners rather than being a hospital for poor. Privatized government hospitals will start collecting registration fee. They will prescribe essential medicines which can be collected only from private medicals stores, which the common man may not be able to afford. Presently 32% of the poor people remain deprived of government hospital treatment.”

 “The government hospital is really useful for economically backward people. Mobile medical care unit facility is provided to Girijana Colonies, pregnant women and elderly people. But these days the mobile medical care unit facility is not reaching the colonies,” he said.

Commenting on district government he said, “There should be 682 staff in the hospital. But currently there are only 380 staff. There should be 25 specialists and seniors, but there are only 16 of them, with 19 vacant posts. There is also shortage of junior and paramedical staff in the hospital. ANM are appointed on appointed on contract basis and are paid very less wages.”

Government should consider this issue seriously. All district hospitals and primary health centers should be brought under health and family welfare department, he added.

Shashikala, member of Koraga welfare union said, “There are no medical counselors in primary health care center. Government should provide counseling centers in every taluk so that it would be easier for common man.”  

Sushil, district convener of Janaaroghya Andolana Karnataka, Padma from Korga Koraga welfare union were present on the occasion.

A memorandum was also submitted to chief minister through the deputy commissioner on the occasion.