All districts will have super-speciality hospitals, says Yeddyurappa

‘I have started identifying professionals who can run them successfully'

Hi-tech facility:Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at the Cath Lab of the new branch of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on the premises of the K.R. Hospital in Mysore on Thursday. Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda and institute Director C.N. Manjunath are seen.

MYSORE: While announcing the Government's plan to open super-speciality hospitals in all districts to provide free and affordable healthcare, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that he had started identifying medical professionals who could run the hospitals successfully and change the perception of the people about the healthcare services offered by the State.

Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Mysore branch of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on the premises of K.R. Hospital here, he said people, especially those in rural areas, had no access to quality healthcare at affordable cost. Therefore, the Mysore branch of the institute had been opened.

The Chief Minister said that people did not have confidence in government hospitals and schools and depended on private institutions for services. They did not mind taking loans to send their children to private schools. “This impression should go and institutions should be built in such a manner that both rich and the poor get quality services,” he added.

Reiterating his Government's aim to provide quality healthcare, he said: “From now on, I will look for people who can take forward hospitals proposed in each district successfully on the lines of the Jayadeva institute. We need people like C.N. Manjunath, institute Director, who can revolutionise healthcare.” Replying to the request by Chamaraja MLA H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda and Mysore MP A.H. Vishwanath to release Rs. 27 crore to upgrade and develop the century-old K.R. Hospital attached to the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRII), the Chief Minister promised to release funds and added that a directive in this regard would be issued in a week.

“I will definitely take steps to release funds soon if the elected representatives here and the Mayor take the responsibility of ensuring their best use for the development of the hospital,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said. The Chief Minister said hospitals such as K.R. Hospital needed people with commitment and vision.

He said that a decision on opening a nursing college under MMCRI would be taken soon. “I do feel that there is a need for a nursing college. I will take up the matter,” he said.

Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda, who inaugurated the Cath Lab at the Jayadeva branch here, said surgical services at the new branch would be launched next year. The branches of Jayadeva would also be opened in Shimoga, Hubli and Gulbarga, he added.

District in-charge Minister S. Suresh Kumar inaugurated the Intensive Coronary Care Unit. Dr. Manjunath spoke about the new branch. The Chief Minister launched the campus resource management project of MMCRI and presented the first smartcard under it to its Director and Dean Venkatesh.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the 75-bed Jayadeva branch at the out-patient block of the K.R. Hospital.

S.A. Ramdas, H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda, Tanveer Sait and S.R. Mahesh, MLAs, and Siddaraju and Tontadarya, MLCs, were present.