Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 30: RTI activist Shankar Shanti from Barkur has opposed appointment of Dr Sudhir Chandra Suda, as District Health Officer (DHO) of Udupi.

Dr Suda was appointed DHO by the government and a notification regarding his appointment was issued on November 27, 2019. He was earlier working as the physician at Primary Health Centre in Barkur.

Addressing a press conference at Udupi Press Club here on Saturday, November 30, Shankar Shanti alleged that Dr Sudhir Chandra took advantage of BPL card holders by charging them extra amount to administer anti-rabies vaccine.

Shankar claimed that he himself was a victim. “I realized that the physician is changing extra money in the name of Arogya Raksha Committee. I have all documents and have fought for two years against this scam,” he said.

According to the Government norms, BPL card holders will be administered free anti-rabies vaccines in all government hospitals. Later, Shankar approached the government, and wrote a letter on July 27, 2017, regarding the illegal act and also demanded that immediate action be taken against Dr Sudhir Suda. “Dr Sudhir has been cheating the poor people since a long time,” alleged Shankar Shanthi.

He further added that all allegations were proved in Health and Family Welfare Directorate Court. It was noted that the doctor made a mistake and a verdict was passed that the anti-rabies vaccine should be provided free of cost for BPL card holders. However, no action was taken against Dr Sudhir.

Shankar says that Dr Sudhir is not eligible to get the post of DHO. He demanded that the order must be withdrawn by the government or Dr Suda should be transferred to another district.

Vishwanth Belampalli, Ramesh Hari Kandige and Vijay Kumar Barkur were present.