Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 23: The state cabinet, which met at Bengaluru on Thursday October 22, approved a proposal to upgrade the district hospital here into a 250-bed facility.

The decision, coming after 23 years of the formation of this district, is historic as a long-pending demand of the people of the district has been met.

Currently, the district hospital has been providing various treatments and services. However, for the district hospital to be able to function to its fullest potential, over half of the positions in the hospital, which are vacant now, have to be filled.

In addition to the current staff strength, four more specialist doctors, two surgeons, an anaesthetist, an orthopaedist, dermatologist, ENT surgeon, psychiatrist, radiologist, six general duty medical officers, 25 nurses, and junior lab technicians need to be appointed. A total of 90 posts will have to be filled. 88 group B, C, D and 35 group A staff are needed.

It may be recalled that over a period of time, many organizations had staged protests and hunger strike demanding upgradation of this hospital.

The plan envisages construction of building, furniture, providing staff needed for 250-bed hospital and other facilities at a cost of Rs 115 crore. Local MLA Raghupati Bhat, told the media that he will try to implement the project as early as possible towards extending maximum facilities to the general public.