BR Shetty inaugurates first Public-Private hospital in Udupi

Bhatkallys News Bureau Udupi 19 Jan 2018: Sri Vishweshateertha, Swamiji of Pejawar Math devoted Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & child hospital to the general public, which was established by NRI entrepreneur B R Shetty here in a grand ceremony held at District Office Complex on January 18, Thursday. During the occasion, Mr. Nadda, Union Health Minister congratulated the state government and Dr. B R Shetty for the initiative with the intention to provide better quality medical care and facilities for free of cost to the general public. He said, this initiative should be a role model for all who are in the medical field. "This is a unique and first of its kind public- private partnership hospital project in India, and especially in Karnataka wherein the state government and a private entrepreneur had joined hands to provide the help for the poor people of the state", said Mr. Nadda He further said that the policy was both patient-centric and quality-driven. It provided a policy framework for achieving universal health coverage and providing healthcare services at an affordable cost. Under the Amrut Deen Dayal Scheme of the Union Government, branded medicine and healthcare services was being made available at half the rates. Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said that the hospital had 200 beds and would provide quality healthcare to mothers and children free. He further said the renovated hospital will start operating from January 19. Dr. B R Shetty said that this is just the beginning and aimed to make lot more same public-private partnership model and serve humanity. He said, the Hospital will serve people irrespective of caste and creed. He, then thanked Siddaramiah, health minister Ramesh Kumar and district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj for their support. Dinakar Babu - ZP president, Meenakshi Bannanje - president of Udupi City Municipal Council, Priyanka Mary Francis - Deputy Commissioner, Laxman Nimbargi - Superintendent of police and many others were present.