Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists staged a demonstration demanding early completion of the new building of Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangalore on Monday.
The activists led by DYFI District Secretary Muneer Katipalla took out a protest march from the office of the Deputy Commissioner to the hospital. They shouted slogans against the lack of interest on the part of the district administration towards constructing the new building.
Mr. Katipalla said the Government brought down the old structure of the hospital for building a new building from the funds to be provided by an Andhra Pradesh-based businessman. “But even after a year of demolition, the new structure is yet to come up. There is no sign of the businessman. Deputy Speaker N. Yogish Bhat is not saying anything about it,” he said. Patients, mostly women from district and neighbouring Udupi, Shimoga and Kasaragod districts, were suffering for want of necessary facilities, he said.
Mr. Katipalla said the State Government has now stated that the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited will fund the construction of the new building. “But the district administration is not showing any interest in floating tenders for construction. The administration is indirectly supporting private hospitals that are charging hefty fees for surgery and other treatment for women,” he said.
