CH NEWS, MANGALURU
State health and family welfare minister UT Khader on Thursday appealed to the people, organisations, and political parties across the coastal region to unite and accord a grand welcome to the Karnataka Cabinet, which is scheduled to hold its meeting in Mangaluru.
Addressing a press conference at Praja Soudha in Padil, Khader said the Cabinet meeting fulfils a long-standing demand of the people of Dakshina Kannada and would focus on development issues concerning Karnataka, Mangaluru, and the Tulunadu region.
The government is also expected to consider various representations submitted by the public and local representatives.
Khader said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had recently held a detailed meeting with MLAs from Mangaluru, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, during which department-wise requirements and development issues were discussed.
Appealing against proposed protests during the Cabinet’s visit, Khader said Tulunadu is known for its culture of harmony and hospitality.
Referring to concerns over prison jammers, he said the issue was not new and that shifting the existing jail to Mudipu would provide a permanent solution to both the jammer-related concerns and space constraints.
He also urged those planning demonstrations to withdraw them and cooperate with the celebrations welcoming the Cabinet.
Defends private hospitals’ role in government healthcare
Speaking on private medical colleges and hospitals supporting government healthcare facilities, Khader said poor patients were not being charged for treatment.
He stated that private institutions provide doctors and staff through their own resources and CSR initiatives. He pointed out that the model, first implemented in Ullal, had increased daily patient attendance from around 60 to nearly 600.
Shouldn’t the poor receive quality healthcare in government hospitals, he asked while defending the initiative.
Khader said the Chief Minister and Cabinet Ministers are expected to participate in programmes beginning from a religious site, with Kadri temple likely to be the starting point.
He said a grand welcome is planned at Pumpwell, while the ministers are expected to be served traditional coastal seafood and regional cuisine at Tannirbhavi in the evening.
