The local women’s wing of the Congress staged a protest in front of the Lady Goschen Hospital here on Wednesday, demanding the speedy construction of the new building at the hospital.
Dakshina Kannada Mahila Congress activists urged the State government to augment the facilities available at the hospital as it catered to the poor.
“Because it is not profitable to treat poor people, the centre is neglected by the district administration and local leaders,” said Mamata Gatti, president of the district Mahila Congress.
The activists said after the old building was demolished, the hospital-bed capacity reduced from around 140 to 70. “The hospital houses twice as many patients; and several ailing women are forced to lie on the floor,” said Ms. Gatti.
Other demands included the installation of incubators for new-born babies at the hospital.
Commending the public sector oil company ONGC-MRPL, which will take up the construction under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, the protesters urged the company to complete the work as fast as possible.
