Bhatkal gets its first Ayushman Bharat-enabled Hospital as Life Care hospital get’s government’s nod
Bhatkal: People of Bhatkal and nearby towns will no longer have to travel far for availing the benefits of the government’s Ayushman Bharat health scheme. Life Care Hospital, Bhatkal has now introduced the Ayushman facility, making it the first private hospital in the town to do so.
The announcement was made by Mohammed Yunus Kazia, President of Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen Bhatkal and Director of Life Care Hospital. He said that patients can now use their ration card and Aadhaar card to access healthcare services under the scheme.
Explaining the facility, Kazia said that most of the treatment expenses of Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration card holders will be covered by the government. For Above Poverty Line (APL) card holders, up to 30 percent of costs will be borne. In case of emergencies, whether it is surgery or urgent medical care, patients will be given immediate assistance once certified by the doctors.
Speaking at the launch, Kazia said the hospital had been working for nearly three years to bring this facility to Bhatkal. “We are very happy to have an experienced team including Dr Kenneth, Dr Nawab and others who are committed to serving the community. With Ayushman Bharat services now available here, patients do not need to travel to Mangalore or other cities for treatment,” he said.
He thanked Minister Mankal Vaidya, senior Congress leader R.V. Deshpande, District Health Officer Dr Neeraj, and Taluk Health Officer Dr Savita for their support in enabling the facility. Kazia added that Life Care Hospital is determined to provide city-level medical facilities in Bhatkal itself and requested cooperation from the public and media to spread awareness about the scheme.
Hospital’ Managing Director, Salman Jubapu, while addressing the gathering, announced a new initiative called the “Privilege Card” which will provide healthcare benefits to media professionals and their families at Life Care Hospital.
Later, speaking to Vartha Bharati, he also highlighted that Life Care Hospital is the first private hospital in Bhatkal to offer both Ayushman Bharat and Karnataka Arogya facilities. Until now, the nearest hospitals offering these benefits were in Honnavar on one side and Kundapur on the other, which caused difficulties for patients from Bhatkal.
Jubapu added that the hospital management is now working to bring in more services such as ESI and other insurance-based healthcare to support the local population, who still depend heavily on hospitals in Manipal, Kundapur, and Mangalore.
He stressed that people of the region need to place their trust in local medical institutions. “For the last four to five decades, people have been depending on hospitals in Mangalore and Kundapur. That is why it is difficult for them to understand and believe that similar quality healthcare can be provided here in Bhatkal itself. Our services are on par with other cities, but people need to give us that chance,” he said.
When asked if the hospital was prepared to handle the rise in patient numbers with the introduction of Ayushman services, Jubapu said the management is ready. “We are planning to convert our special wards into general wards so that we can accommodate more patients,” he explained.
Expansion and cath lab plan
Sharing the hospital’s future vision, Jubapu revealed plans to expand infrastructure and introduce specialized facilities. He said he is working passionately to set up a cath lab in Bhatkal, which will allow doctors to perform minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart and blood vessel problems.
At present, the nearest cath lab to Bhatkal is in Udupi, around 90 km away, while the next option is in Hubballi, which takes six to eight hours to reach. “If we succeed, this will be a big milestone for Bhatkal and surrounding areas,” he added.
With the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme at Life Care Hospital, thousands of families in and around Bhatkal stand to benefit. For people who earlier had to depend on hospitals in distant towns for even emergency needs, this marks a turning point.
For the first time, quality treatment under government health insurance is now available locally. The move not only reduces the burden on families but also promises to strengthen the healthcare system of Bhatkal, giving people the confidence that they no longer need to leave their town to access advanced medical facilities.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
