Udupi: Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna has criticised the Karnataka government over plans to shift the existing 120-bed taluk hospital to the newly constructed district hospital building at Ajjarkad without providing adequate medical equipment, infrastructure and staff. He warned that relocating the hospital under the present conditions would deprive residents of the healthcare services expected from a fully equipped district hospital.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, October 16, Suvarna said the six-storey, 250-bed hospital was being prepared for relocation without being equipped according to its original Detailed Project Report (DPR) or brought up to the standards of district hospitals elsewhere in Karnataka.
Thirty-Year-Old Rusted Beds to Be Shifted
Suvarna expressed concern over the reported plan to move the existing hospital’s approximately 30-year-old, rusted beds into the new building.
He said the 120-bed taluk hospital was being prepared for relocation without additional facilities, arguing that shifting old equipment into a new building would amount to little more than changing the hospital’s location.
According to the MLA, the new building must be equipped with the necessary facilities before it begins functioning as a district hospital. Otherwise, patients would continue to face limitations in accessing medical services despite the construction of a larger facility.
Shortage of Doctors and Medical Equipment
Suvarna alleged that the government had not sanctioned the required posts for doctors, nurses, technical personnel and other hospital staff.
He also claimed that essential medical equipment, including scanning and X-ray machines, had not been provided. Furniture, computers, printers and cleaning equipment were among the other requirements he said remained unmet.
The MLA further pointed to the lack of arrangements for sanitation workers and the maintenance of the six-storey building. He said the new hospital also lacked approval for several specialised treatment departments available in other district hospitals.
Suvarna warned that opening the facility without these resources could make it difficult for medical professionals to provide appropriate treatment and cause further hardship to patients.
MLA Says Repeated Appeals Have Not Led to Action
The MLA said he had repeatedly raised the hospital issue during Legislative Assembly sessions over the past three years but alleged that the required funds had not been released.
He also claimed to have submitted representations and written to former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, current Health Minister U.T. Khader, former district in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar, current district in-charge minister Rizwan Arshad and concerned officials.
Despite these efforts, Suvarna alleged that no concrete action had been taken to ensure the new hospital was fully equipped.
He also objected to the reported decision to shift the hospital without consulting the local MLA. Pointing out that Udupi district was formed 28 years ago, he said residents had waited for decades for a well-equipped district hospital.
Suvarna Seeks Health Minister’s Visit Within a Week
Suvarna said he had sought clarification from Health Minister U.T. Khader regarding the proposed transfer of old beds and equipment. According to the MLA, the minister said he was unaware of the details and would obtain information before taking appropriate action.
The MLA urged Khader to visit Udupi within a week and convene a meeting involving all district MLAs and concerned officials to discuss the hospital’s requirements and find a solution.
He warned that he would join members of the public in staging an overnight sit-in protest if the issue remained unresolved.
Demand for Fully Equipped 250-Bed Hospital
Suvarna urged the government to appoint the required doctors, nurses, technical personnel and other staff and provide modern medical equipment, new beds, essential supplies and complete infrastructure before opening the hospital to the public.
He insisted that the facility should be brought on par with district hospitals elsewhere in Karnataka rather than being opened without the resources needed to deliver comprehensive healthcare.
Former Udupi City Municipal Council president Prabhakar Poojary, former Zilla Panchayat president Dinakar Babu and BJP city president Dinesh Amin were present at the press conference.
The concerns raised by the MLA have brought renewed attention to the staffing, equipment and service requirements of Udupi’s new district hospital, with a decision on the proposed relocation remaining central to the issue.