Mangaluru: A foot march was held in Surathkal on Gandhi Jayanti demanding stronger government healthcare infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada, with the organisers seeking a 40-bed community hospital and regional healthcare facilities in Mangaluru.
The march was organised on October 2 by the Sarakari Aspathre Ulisi Horata Samithi (Save Government Hospital Struggle Committee), Surathkal. Participants walked from Kattipalla Samsuddin Circle to the Surathkal Primary Health Centre, where a public meeting was held.
The organisers also called for regional units of the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and NIMHANS in Mangaluru. They said strengthening public hospitals would improve access to specialised treatment for people across Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring areas.
March begins at Kattipalla
The Gandhi Jayanti programme began at Kattipalla Samsuddin Circle, with activists and representatives of several organisations participating in the foot march.
The participants proceeded towards the Surathkal Primary Health Centre, where speakers addressed the gathering and outlined their demands for better government healthcare facilities.
The central demand was for the establishment of a 40-bed community hospital in Surathkal. Organisers said the demand has been raised for more than two decades and urged the government to take concrete steps towards establishing the facility.
The campaign also focused on strengthening healthcare infrastructure across Dakshina Kannada rather than limiting the demand to a single facility.
Demand for specialised healthcare centres
The organisers sought regional units of three major healthcare institutions in Mangaluru — Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and NIMHANS.
The demand is aimed at expanding access to specialised treatment within the region. Speakers at the programme highlighted the difficulties faced by families dealing with serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.
B.K. Imthiaz, former district president of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), said access to quality healthcare should not depend on a person’s financial position. He also raised concerns about families having to rely on crowdfunding or political assistance to meet medical expenses.
The organisers called for proposed healthcare projects to be implemented rather than remaining at the stage of announcements or assurances.
Call to upgrade Wenlock Hospital
Another major demand raised during the programme was the upgrading of Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru into a regional hospital.
Muneer Katipalla, district convenor of the struggle, said strengthening Wenlock Hospital should be part of a wider plan to improve public healthcare in Dakshina Kannada.
He also called for the establishment of a government medical college in the district and regional branches of specialised healthcare institutions in Mangaluru.
According to the organisers, a stronger public healthcare network could reduce the need for patients to travel outside the district for specialised treatment.
Community hospitals and taluk facilities sought
The campaign extended beyond Surathkal and Mangaluru.
The organisers demanded taluk hospitals in all taluks and community health centres at the hobli level. They argued that healthcare facilities should be available closer to where people live, particularly for patients who may find it difficult to travel long distances for treatment.
Muneer said the demand for a community hospital in Surathkal had continued for more than 20 years and urged the government to act on the proposal.
The demands reflect a broader focus on strengthening government-run healthcare facilities at primary, community, taluk and regional levels.
Several organisations participate
Representatives and activists from various organisations participated in the Gandhi Jayanti programme.
Those associated with the event included the Adivasi Hakkuugala Samanvaya Samiti’s Surathkal division, Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, DYFI, Toll Gate Horata Samithi, Market Horata Samithi and Badaga Ekkar (Bajpe) gram panchayat.
Among those present were Badaga Ekkar gram panchayat member Siraj, Sadashiva Padubidri, Makssood, Musthafa Baikampady, Hussainar, Samad Katipalla, Salim Shadow, Dr Krishnappa Konchady, Abusali, T.N. Ramesh, Charan Shetty, Sunanda Konchady, Naveen Konchady, Rafiq Ankekala, Yogish Jappinamogaru and Thayyib Baikampady, along with other activists and supporters.
Campaign to continue
The organisers said their campaign for stronger government healthcare infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada would continue.
The demands raised during the march include the proposed 40-bed community hospital in Surathkal, upgrading Wenlock Hospital, establishing a government medical college in Dakshina Kannada, setting up regional specialised healthcare units in Mangaluru and strengthening hospitals and community health centres across the district.
The Gandhi Jayanti march therefore served as a platform for the participating organisations to renew their demand for greater investment in public healthcare facilities.
Conclusion
The Save Government Hospital Struggle Committee organised a Gandhi Jayanti foot march in Surathkal seeking a 40-bed community hospital and stronger public healthcare infrastructure in Dakshina Kannada. The organisers also called for an upgraded Wenlock Hospital, a government medical college and regional units of Kidwai, Jayadeva and NIMHANS in Mangaluru. They said the campaign for improved government healthcare facilities would continue.