Mangaluru: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and MLC Ivan D’Souza on Friday strongly supported Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao’s decision to allow private medical colleges to provide healthcare services at government health facilities through separate memoranda of understanding (MoUs). The leaders defended the move as an effort to improve access to quality medical treatment and strengthen public healthcare services.
The remarks were made during a programme organised at the Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall, where speakers highlighted the need for collaboration between government institutions and the private sector in critical areas such as health and education.
Khader stresses public-private cooperation
Speaking at the event, U.T. Khader said it would be difficult for the government to independently manage the growing demands in the healthcare and education sectors and emphasised the importance of support from private institutions.
Khader recalled that during his tenure as Health Minister, a policy had been introduced permitting private medical colleges to offer healthcare services free of cost at government healthcare centres.
He noted that private medical colleges often hesitate to extend such services because of operational costs involved in running facilities. According to him, institutions may have to incur an expenditure of nearly ₹6 lakh every month at each healthcare centre.
He said Dinesh Gundu Rao had taken efforts to persuade private medical institutions to provide both routine and specialised healthcare services at government hospitals.
Khader further stated that the initiative was intended to improve healthcare delivery and ensure better medical access for patients visiting public institutions.
Medical colleges assigned to health centres
Under the government’s latest arrangement, specific private medical institutions in Dakshina Kannada have been assigned to provide services at selected government healthcare facilities.
As per the announced plan, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences will offer healthcare services at Bantwal Taluk Hospital, Alva’s Health Centre has been assigned to Community Health Centre (CHC) Moodbidri, while Yenepoya Medical College will provide services at CHC Vitla.
Khader said residents in the respective regions had not opposed the move and claimed that criticism was coming mainly from people not directly associated with the concerned health facilities.
He remarked that people far removed from the functioning of these centres were making comments without fully understanding the objective behind the decision.
Ivan D’Souza cites Wenlock model
MLC Ivan D’Souza also defended the government’s decision and referred to the contribution made by Kasturba Medical College in extending healthcare services through collaboration with Government Wenlock Hospital and Lady Goschen Hospital.
Describing the two institutions as highly important healthcare centres in the district, he referred to them as the “two eyes” of Dakshina Kannada.
He said private institutions were willing to work with government healthcare centres to provide medical services to economically weaker sections and people in need.
According to him, cooperation between public and private healthcare institutions has already shown positive results and can further improve the healthcare system.
Minister clarifies concerns over control
Defending the policy, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao clarified that the MoUs had been signed with the objective of providing quality treatment free of cost to patients visiting government health facilities.
He assured that the overall administration and control of the hospitals would continue to remain with the government despite the partnerships.
The minister also invited organisations and individuals raising concerns to seek clarification directly from him and said the government was prepared to explain the rationale behind the decision.
Opposition voices concern over decision
The government’s move has, however, drawn criticism from certain organisations and political groups.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has openly opposed the decision to allow private medical colleges to provide services at government health facilities. The party recently organised a protest march in Mangaluru and warned of launching a district-wide agitation against the move.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) also staged a protest demonstration near Clock Tower Circle on Friday expressing opposition to the government’s decision.
The debate surrounding the initiative continues to generate discussion, with supporters arguing that it could strengthen healthcare services while critics raise concerns about the future role of private institutions in public healthcare.