Udupi : Finally, decades–old govt. maternity and child care hospital downs its shutters
Udupi, September 24: The Haji Abdulla Hospital, known as the government maternity and child care hospital in the district which was the lifeline for the poor people, not only in the district, but also in neighbouring districts for almost eight decades downed its shutters officially on Monday.
From tomorrow, the hospital will be shifted to the Karnataka Government Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Haji Abdulla Memorial Mother and Child Care Hospital, constructed by the Bengaluru-based BRS Health and Research Institute of NRI businessman BR Shetty, just besides the old building.
After then President Pranab Mukherjee had inaugurated the hospital on November 19, 2017, the out-patient section was shifted to the new hospital building as per the agreement from last July. Almost half of the services of the government hospital were shifted then itself.
In a circular issued by the Commissioner of the Health and Family Welfare department on August 29, he directed the authorities to shift all the services including out-patient and in-patient divisions to the 200-bed multi-specialty hospital with immediate effect. With this, the Commissioner has directed to close the government Maternity and Child Care hospital permanently.
Known philanthropist of Udupi, Haji Abdulla had constructed the hospital in 1930s for the poor on a sprawling four acres of land. Later, the state government and the Health and Family Welfare department have agreed to give the land to the BRS Health and Research Institute Private Limited for 30 years lease. The BRS Health and Research Institute Private Limited has constructed 200 –bed hospital instead of 70-bed hospital on land behind the Mahatma Gandhi Government Primary School and named the hospital after ‘Karnataka Government Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Haji Abdulla Memorial Mother and Child Care Hospital’. The government has said that like in the previous hospital, all the services would be free in the new hospital also.
As per the agreement, the BRS Institute would demolish the existing Maternity and Child care Hospital and construct 400-bed capacity Centre Of Excellence Hospital (Super Specialty Hospital) and Community Health Facilities shortly.
Four docs hired
Total 31 staff including six specialist doctors were working in the previous Government Maternity and Child Care Hospital. Among them , the government has deputed four doctors including two pediatricians and two gynecologists to the new hospital on temporary basis. But he did not get any order for the remaining 27 staff including two doctors, said district surgeon Dr Madhusudhan Nayak.
As there was scarcity of doctors and staff, he had appealed the state government to depute all the staffs to the district hospital. Once again, he had written to the government seeking deputation of all the staff, he said.
Among in-patients, except the patients who will discharge in a couple of days, all the patients would be shifted to the new hospital, Dr Nayak said.
The government has asked him to send some of the equipment to the Vijayapura hospital and they would be sent. For remaining equipment, the decision would be taken as per the direction of the government, he said.
Though five maternity and gynecologists were appointed in the new hospital, two government doctors were deputed as the hospital may require them during emergency situation. As the new hospital did not get eligible pediatricians, two doctors were deputed from the old hospital, he said.
Scholar G Rajashekar said that the government benefit was the right of the people. But the service to be provided by the private would become a donation. The poor people have been getting the benefits as their rights and now onwards such facilities would not continue in the new hospital. It might affect the poor patients, he said.
4.64 lakh patients got treatment in last three years
Though the hospital has been serving in the centre of the city for the last eight decades, in the last three years, the hospital has treated 4, 64,176 poor patients. Among them, 4, 32, 756 patients were given treatment as out-patients and 31,420 got treatment as in-patients.
During 2016-17, total 1, 67, 203 out-patients and 11,925 in-patients, 1,79,761 out-patents and 13, 708 in-patients in 2017-18 and till August 2018-19, 85,792 out-patients and 5787 in-patients have got the treatment in the hospital.
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
