PPP model for district hospitals a ‘very sensitive issue’, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao addresses the sensitive issue of district hospital privatization under the PPP model amid ongoing protests.

Describing privatisation of district hospitals under public-private partnership (PPP) model as a “very sensitive issue”, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday said he could not promise a blanket halt to all such ventures, even as he acknowledged protests against privatisation in parts of the State.

“Due to long struggles and protests, the Chief Minister has already decided on the Vijayapura PPP issue. However, these decisions are not solely in my hands, and I cannot promise a blanket halt to all PPP ventures,” he said at the valedictory meeting of the Right to Health (RTH) jatha in the city.

The jatha, organised across the State from February 2 to 17 by the Drug Action Forum - Karnataka (DAF-K) and Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana - Karnataka (SAA-K), along with around 40 partner organisations, concluded with a public meeting attended by health activists, workers’ unions, community-based organisations and district delegations.

A memorandum submitted to the Minister sought withdrawal of the privatisation of district hospitals under PPP models, enactment of a comprehensive Right to Health Act in Karnataka, and assurance of free and quality medicines in all government hospitals.

Bogesh Sollapura from Vijayapura referred to a 106-day agitation against the proposed privatisation of the Government Medical College hospital. “The Chief Minister’s intervention to halt it gave people hope that public hospitals must remain accessible to the poor,” he said, urging the government to abandon PPP models across districts.

Karibasappa, a grassroots worker, said PPP-based privatisation of eight district hospitals had increased costs and reduced access for vulnerable communities dependent on public institutions.