Udupi: The state government’s proposed project of construction of existing Maternity and Children’s Government Hospital at the heart of the city should be postponed at least one year, said Dr. P. V. Bhandary noted Psychiatrist and Managing Direct of K. V. Baliga Hospital Doddangudde, Udupi.

He addressed during the demonstration held in Udupi near Clock tower against the proposed project of constructing a government hospital in place of existing Women & a Child Hospital with the private sector B.R.Shetty Venture. We never any grudge with any political party or any individual. But we will stage protest against the state government for planning Women & Children’s hospital along with private parties. I am no agent of anyone. This place belongs to the public which donor Haji Abdulla has given to the government with the intention to provide free service to poor patients. Haji Abdulla gave, the more than three acres of land to construct the government hospital to the public which not to give private entrepreneurs, he said.

All of sudden decision of the government definitely doubtful for the large public of Udupi and raises several questions that privatization of government maternity and children’s hospital. He called the members of the public that donate generously and we can help the government for the maintenance of the present hospital.

Prior to the protest meet, a procession was held from Jodukatte near Big Bazar via Diana Circle, K. M. Marg which inaugurated by Vaidahi which organized by Udupi Nagarikara Sanghaton along with other associations. In her inaugural address Vaidahi said that this is not the property of the individual. It is the land of public purpose. Due to the privatization, it is insulting to the land donor Haji Abdulla. We are expecting more from Pramod Madhwaraj and voted him during the election.. We had faith in Pramod Madhwaraj. Presently who ever poor people can avail the benefits from the hospital free of cost.

Paniraj thinker and social activist, Dr. P. V. Bhadary, Yasheen Malpe, Rajshekar, Meenakshi Bhandary, Teena of Karnataka Janarogya Andolan, Sundar Master and others were spoken during the protest meeting. Former MLA,s U. R. Sabhapathy, Raghupathy Bhat, Nithyananda Olakkadu, Balakrishna Shetty, Yogish and other various association leaders were present.