Mangaluru: Aam Aadmi Party’s Dakshina Kannada unit Thursday opposed the state govt’s proposal to tie up govt hospitals with private medical colleges under a memorandum of understanding (MoU).Addressing mediapersons, AAP state vice-president Vivekananda Salins said that instead of strengthening existing infrastructure and basic services, the state govt is rushing to hand over public assets to private organisations. He said the party would like to remind the govt of its primary duty to provide quality free healthcare facilities to the public and completely free emergency medical facilities to road accident victims.Salins said the recent endorsement of the govt’s move by former health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and current health minister UT Khader has raised concerns over the govt’s intentions and its commitment to public healthcare.The party also demanded that the govt release the draft copy of the agreement, which it said leaves citizens unaware of the terms, conditions and long-term socio-economic impact. It further urged the govt to hold a public discussion before finalising any agreements.AAP Udupi district president SR Lobo, DK district organising secretary SL Pinto, and others were present.
