U.T. Khader, Health and Family Welfare Minister, said on Saturday that the government hospital here, which is a taluk-level hospital, will soon be upgraded to a district-level hospital.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Lions-BEL Burns Centre at the government hospital here.
Mr. Khader said that BEL, which had spent about Rs. 80 lakh for the centre at the hospital, had set an example on the proper utilisation of funds under the Corporate Social Responsibility scheme.
Persons living below the poverty line (BPL) would get free treatment for burn injuries at the centre, while above the poverty line (APL) card holders would have to avail treatment at a concession of 70 per cent.
When the hospital comes under the Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme, even APL cardholders would get free treatment.
A model dialysis centre would be set up at the government hospital here, Mr. Khader said.
Shobha Karandlaje, MP, said that young doctors were not keen to serve in rural areas.
Hence the government should increase 50 seats in all government medical colleges. The fees of these students should be borne by the government.
Such medical graduates should be asked to serve in rural areas for a certain period of time.
The State government should not just upgrade the hospital here, but also provide adequate staff, she said.
Presiding over the function, Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA, said that the government hospital would soon have CT scan and MRI scan facilities. L.M. Shanmukh, Director (Human Resources), BEL, inaugurated the female wing at the centre, while Vinay Kumar Sorake, Urban Development Minister, inaugurated the male wing.
P. Yuvaraj, president of the Udupi City Municipal Council, K. Suresh Prabhu, District Lions Governor, Raghavendra Rao, executive director, BEL, Veeresh Bevinamarada, General Manager (HR), BEL, Madhusudhan Nayak, District Surgeon in-charge, were present.
