Karnataka rejects Modi govt’s proposal to partly privatize district hospitals

Bengaluru, Dec 1: Chief Minster Siddaramaiah led Congress government in Karnataka has rejected the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central NDA government’s proposal to partly privatise district hospitals in the state.

The centre had proposed to the state department of health and family welfare, that for the second and third stage, the heart and cancer departments be handed over to private hospitals along with a list of guidelines. The centre had sought the opinion of the state department.

To this Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar gave a stern reply stating that it is a bad decision to handed over. Health is a fundamental right. The state government has the intention of upgrading government hospitals to the level of private super specialty hospitals.

"An opportunity to fix the price of treatment is included in the state's proposal. But private hospitals will gradually increase the treatment. Then there will very little difference between state-run and private hospitals. If that happens then it as though the government has adopted a commercial health policy," he added.

He pointed out that self-reliant hospitals like Jayadeva, Kidwai and Victoria were well on their way to equal private super-specialty hospitals in treating heart, cancer and respiratory problems after tie-ups. "Some government hospitals treat better than private hospitals" he added.

"The state will soon come out with a comprehensive health policy. We want to consolidate all the disbursed funds under one umbrella and ensure health for all. The state government is not open to discussion on the matter," the minister categorically stated.

The proposal:

The Modi government had proposed to handover all 50-100 bed hospitals for 30 years under the Private-Public-Partnership program. Upgrades like better infrastructure, advanced treatments and service tax were to be included in the proposal to private hospitals.

Some of the treatments included were chemotherapy, harmone therapy, lung problems, angio-therapy, angioplasty and others. The government would take care of the utility bills like water and electricity.

The cost of treatment was to be fixed and with subsidies from the centre. All existing health program beneficiaries would be eligible for treatment under the centre's proposed health policy.