Bhatkal: Minister Mankala Vaidya inaugurates advanced medical facilities at Life Care Hospital
Bhatkal: In a significant development for healthcare services in the region, Uttara Kannada district in-charge minister, Mankala S. Vaidya, inaugurated the CT scan, ICU, and Operation Theater at Life Care Specialty Hospital on Saturday.
During the inauguration, Minister Vaidya emphasized the importance of contributions from non-resident Indians (NRIs) and those working abroad in establishing well-equipped hospitals and businesses in Bhatkal. He called on these individuals to allocate funds for the town’s development, particularly in healthcare.
“After four years since its inception, Life Care Hospital has upgraded to state-of-the-art facilities. The hospital currently boasts 50 beds, and there is no doubt that it will evolve into a 200-bed super specialty hospital in the near future,” said Vaidya. He assured that the government would support and cooperate in the hospital's development.
He further highlighted the government's efforts in improving infrastructure in Bhatkal. "Grants have been provided for road, electricity, and drinking water systems in Bhatkal town. To address potential water shortages, arrangements are being made to bring drinking water from Honnavar at a cost of Rs 220 crore. Additionally, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for widening the Bhatkal Port-Sea Road and another Rs 25 crore for various road works within the town," Vaidya informed.
Dr. U.T. Iftikhar Ali, a senate member of Mangalore Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, was the chief guest at the event. He stressed the need for a well-equipped hospital in Bhatkal and assured that the Rajiv Gandhi University would offer full cooperation for any medical institutions to be established. He praised the provision of advanced facilities and the presence of expert doctors at Life Care Hospital, noting their benefit to the local population.
The chairman of Life Care Hospital, Yunus Kazia, who presided over the program, explained the transformation of Life Care Hospital into Life Care Specialty Hospital for the benefit of the people. He stated that with expert doctors and advanced medical systems in place, residents no longer need to travel to other towns for treatment. "We aim to increase the hospital’s bed capacity and provide more medical facilities with everyone’s cooperation in the coming days," Kazia said.
The event saw speeches from several dignitaries, including Dr. Savita Kamath, Administrative Medical Officer of Government Hospital; Jamaatul Muslimeen Chief Qazi Maulana Abdul Rab Nadvi; and Markazi Khalifa Jamaat Chief Qazi Maulana Khwaja Mohiyuddin Akrami Nadvi.
Hospital Director Altaf, Managing Director Muhammad Salman Jubapu, and Director Zulfikar Ali were present on the stage. Muhammad Salman Jubapu welcomed the guests and delivered an introductory speech, while Zulfikar Ali introduced the guests.
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UDF leaders see local body poll trends as pointer to 2026 Assembly elections in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Buoyed by the strong performance of the Congress-led UDF in the local body polls, KPCC president Sunny Joseph said on Saturday that the front's results indicated the people had rejected the LDF government.
According to early trends, the UDF was leading in more grama panchayats, block panchayats, municipalities and corporations than the LDF.
The local body polls were held in two phases in the state earlier this week.
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Speaking to reporters here, Joseph said the people of Kerala had extended their support to the UDF.
"We could expose the LDF government’s anti-people stance and the people understood it. The LDF’s fake propaganda was rejected by the people. The UDF is moving towards a historic victory," he said.
He said a united effort, proper preparations, good candidate selection and hard work had resulted in the Congress and the UDF’s victory in the elections.
Asked about the prospects in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, Joseph said the party was studying the matter and would comment later.
LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan said the results would be closely examined.
According to him, the government had done everything possible for the people.
"Why such a verdict happened will be examined at the micro level. People’s opinion will be considered and further steps will be taken," he said.
He added that decisions would be taken after analysing the results. "If any corrective measures are required, we will initiate them and move forward," he said.
AICC leader K C Venugopal said the results showed that people had begun ousting those who, he alleged, were responsible for the loss of gold at Lord Ayyappa’s temple.
"This trend will continue in the Assembly elections as well. It is an indication that the people are ready to bring down the LDF government," he said.
Venugopal said the UDF had registered victories even in CPI(M) and LDF strongholds.
"I congratulate all UDF workers for their hard work. Congress workers and leaders worked unitedly," he said.
Referring to remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Congress on polling day, Venugopal said the voters had responded through the verdict.
"I do not know whether the chief minister understands that the people are against him. Otherwise, he does not know the sentiment of the people. The state government cannot move an inch further," he said.
He said the results indicated a strong comeback for the UDF in Kerala.
Asked whether the Sabarimala gold loss issue had affected the LDF in the local polls, Venugopal said the CM and the CPI(M) state secretary did not take the issue seriously.
"We took a strong stand on the matter. The BJP played a foul game in it," he alleged.
On the BJP's role in the local body elections, Venugopal alleged that the party operated with the CPI(M) 's tacit support.
"The CPI(M) supported the central government on issues such as PM-SHRI, labour codes and corruption in national highway construction. The CPI(M) is facing ideological decline, and the state government’s policies are against the party’s own decisions," he said.
Meanwhile, LDF ally Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani said the party could not win all the wards it had expected in the elections.
He congratulated winners from all parties and said the party would closely examine the losses and identify shortcomings. "Later, we will take corrective measures," he added.
Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan said the trends in the local body elections indicated that the UDF would return to power in the 2026 Assembly elections.
"We will win 111 seats as in 1977 and return to power in 2026. The anti-government sentiment of the people is reflected in the elections," he said.
Unnithan said the people were disturbed and unhappy with the present government.
"The trend indicates the end of the LDF government," he added.
CPI(M) MLA M M Mani said the people had shown ingratitude towards the LDF despite benefiting from welfare schemes.
"After receiving all welfare schemes and living comfortably, people voted against us due to some temporary sentiments. Is that not ingratitude," he asked.
Mani said no such welfare initiatives had taken place in Kerala earlier.
"People are receiving pensions and have enough to eat. Even after getting all this, they voted against us. This is what can be called ingratitude," he said.
Muslim League state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said the results were beyond expectations.
"The outcome points towards the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, indicating that a change of government is imminent. We are going to win the Assembly election," he said.
