Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Jun 11: A function was organized at Amrutavarshini Hall of Dharmasthala on Wednesday June 10, for handing over a new bus for the mobile hospital of Dharmasthala Medical Trust, in association with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India. Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr D Veerendra Heggade, who presided over the programme said, that the success of any programme depends upon the participation of the people in it.
"The need for a mobile hospital was felt 35 years ago, when medical facilities were not available to rural people. The bus acquired then, had a body built in Mumbai. The body of the present bus has been built by Navin Rodrigues from Mangalore. The bus is equipped with facilities like examination room, medicines room, laboratory, toilet etc., "he explained. Heggade recalled that when the mobile hospital was conceptualized, lot of people had discouraged the idea as impracticable. However, during the last 35 years 15.7 lac patients were provided medicines worth Rs 1.1 crore, he noted. "Camps are being organized with the specific aim of involving the masses in them and we have been getting good response. Special camps had been held for treating cases of monkey fever, chikungunya etc," he added.
Dr Heggade also said, that the 'Jeevan Madhura' policy of the LIC is being popularized and that 56,000 beneficiaries have been covered with a premium of six crore rupees under this policy through Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project. He divulged that discussions are on with the insurance company towards providing for payment of pension to agriculturists. By October, a super specialty block will be inaugurated in Dharwad SDM Hospital, he revealed.
D D Singh, regional manager of LIC south central region, who handed over the key to Dr Heggade, said the social service is not a forte that every one can handle. He expressed happiness about the fact that LIC has been provided with an opportunity to get involved with social service through Dharmasthala project. He expressed the readiness of the Corporation to extend further cooperation to Dharmasthala in the sphere of social service within the permissible parametres.
Divisional manager of south central zone marketing department T C Sushil Kumar and Hemavati V Heggade were present.
Udupi division senior divisional manager Uma Rao delivered introductory address. Udupi division marketing manager Baptist D’ Almeida welcomed. Srinivas Rao conducted the programme. Medical Trust secretary Shishupal Poovani proposed vote of thanks.
Kaup Vishwanath Shetty Award: Kaup Vishwanath Shetty, who won the Welsky Bailley International Award at Canada four days ago, was felicitated by Dr Heggade on behalf of Dharmasthala institutions. Mobile hospital designer Navin Rodrigues and Babu, who has been working in the mobile hospital since the last 35 years, were honoured. LIC has donated Rs 10 lac for the bus while Medical Trust has spent Rs 20 lac towards the modern hospital designing and facilities.