‘No privatisation’: DK Congress chief backs medical college tie‑ups

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district Congress committee president K Harish Kumar Monday dismissed allegations of “privatisation” over the state govt’s decision to enter into agreements with private medical colleges.

Calling the move “important and significant,” Harish said it would strengthen the public healthcare system at the grassroots level and bring specialist medical services to rural areas.

He said the decision would directly benefit the general public, as additional medical staff, specialist doctors and modern equipment would be made available. People in rural areas would receive free specialist treatment and advanced diagnosis at the local level, he added.

According to Harish, the health and family welfare department’s approval to develop Belthangady taluk hospital, Moodubidire health centre and Vitla community hospital in collaboration with private medical institutions was a “far‑sighted decision”.

He pointed out that the medical colleges would voluntarily take responsibility for the initiative and that no govt grants would be provided.

Clarifying the arrangement, Harish said complete administrative control of all the health centres would remain with the govt under strict supervision, while private colleges would only provide medical services. Calling it a people‑friendly decision, he said the move was expected to bring positive changes in the healthcare sector.

Harish accused some organisations of spreading false propaganda and said claims of govt hospitals being sold to private colleges were far from reality.

While the govt aims to ensure that poor and middle‑class people in rural areas receive specialist consultation and free healthcare, Harish said some were trying to create panic among the public for political reasons. He urged people to ignore misinformation and understand the govt’s people‑oriented healthcare initiatives.