Government committed to providing quality healthcare for the underprivileged: CM Siddaramaiah
Mangaluru: The state government is determined to ensure quality healthcare for the underprivileged, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the regional office of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at Mary Hill on Friday, he emphasised the need for government institutions to work with a people-centric approach.
The Chief Minister highlighted the government’s aim to make public hospitals as hygienic and well-maintained as private ones, ensuring quality medical facilities are accessible to all. "We are striving to create a system where even the wealthy and politicians like us feel comfortable visiting government hospitals," he said.
He also noted that RGUHS, announced in the previous budget, is Asia’s largest health sciences university, with over 3.5 lakh medical students. The institution is expected to play a pivotal role in producing skilled medical professionals and providing high-quality healthcare services.
Siddaramaiah urged the university to focus on research to simplify healthcare services for the public and make top-notch medical services affordable for the underprivileged. He also encouraged medical graduates to remain in the healthcare sector and contribute to society instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The CM informed that medical colleges have been directed to provide free healthcare services to BPL cardholders. He also expressed hope that the newly constructed regional office would maintain high standards of functionality and infrastructure.
RGUHS Vice-Chancellor Dr. M.K. Ramesh shared details about the advanced facilities planned for the regional centre, including an innovative simulation lab, a sports complex, an upgraded fitness centre, recreational amenities, air-conditioned auditoriums, and advanced research centres.
Speaker U.T. Khader, a guest of honour at the event, said that establishing the RGUHS regional centre had been a long-standing dream. He hoped it would become a source of pride for the coastal region.
Minister for Medical Education Dr. Sharan Prakash Rudrappa Patil stated that the government is focused on decentralising authority, providing quality education, and enhancing skills for students. He noted that Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have the highest number of medical colleges in the country and emphasised the government’s commitment to providing affordable healthcare to the underprivileged.
The event was attended by Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, MP Brijesh Chowta, MLAs Dr. Bharath Shetty, Vedavyas Kamath, Ashok Kumar Rai, Ivan D’Souza, Dr. Manjunath Bhandari, and others, along with senior officials, including Dr. Sujata Rathod, Dr. Triveni, and several members of the RGUHS senate.
The Chief Minister reiterated the necessity of establishing a government medical college in Dakshina Kannada despite the availability of quality healthcare in Mangaluru. "A government medical college for every district is my vision, and we are considering steps in this direction," he said.
Prof. Dr. UT Iftikhar Ali, Chairman of the Karnataka State Allied and Health Protection Council, delivered the vote of thanks towards the end of the event.
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Catholic Bishops' body slams Bhagwat's remarks
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India on Thursday slammed RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat for his reported remark that Pranab Mukherjee, when he was President, had said tribals would turn "anti-national" if there is no "ghar wapsi"Catholic Bishops.'
In a statement issued here, CBCI, a body of Catholic Bishops, referred to reports which said Bhagwat, at an event on Monday, claimed that Mukherjee, while he was President had appreciated ghar wapsi and told him that had it not been for the Sangh's work on reconversion, a section of Adivasis would have turned "anti-national".The CBCI called the report "shocking".
"Fabricated personal conversation being attributed to a former president of India and its posthumous publication with the vested interest of an organization with questionable credibility raises a grave issue of national importance," the CBCI claimed.
"Is it not the violent ghar wapsi program of VHP and other similar organizations, curtailing the exercise of freedom of conscience of economically deprived tribals, the real anti-national activity?" it asked.
'Ghar wapsi' is a term used by the RSS and affiliated organisations to refer to reconversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism, based on the belief that they were originally Hindus before converting to other religions.
The CBCI also questioned why Bhagwat did not speak about it while Mukherjee was alive.
"We, the 2.3 percent of Indian citizens who are Christians feel extremely hurt by such manipulated and motivated propaganda unleashed," it said.
In a post on X following the statement issued by CBCI, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien said, "Speak up. This is a start!"
"Bishops body have issued a statement condemning remarks made by Dr Mohan Bhagwat and RSS for defaming the Christian community," he said.
O'Brien added that they should ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi more questions, including why Christmas Day has been turned into "Good Governance Day".
The TMC leader, in a blogpost earlier this month, had said "hard questions" must be asked to the government with regards to the Christian community, including why the FCRA has been 'weaponised', and why has Manipur been 'ignored'.
