Dr B R Shetty's state-of-the-art hospital set to redefine healthcare in Udupi


Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Udupi, Nov 3: Availability of quality healthcare is one of the most important features that has given a a place of distinction to coastal Karnataka region. The latest project in line is the proposed construction of a state-of--the-art hospital at KM Marg in Udupi, in place of the existing government hospital.

The revolutionary path and game changer in public health care services has been proposed by Padmashri awardee Dr B R Shetty, founder chairman and CEO, NMC Healthcare, Abu Dhabi, and chairman, BRS Health & Research Institute Pvt Ltd.

The existing government mother and child hospital in Udupi was constructed more than 90 years ago on a piece of land at KM Marg, donated by the great philanthropist of Udupi, the late Haji Abdullah Saheb in the year 1925. Presently, the said hospital has 70 beds and is operating in a dilapidated and unhygienic condition. Add to that, the number of poor patients is increasing day by day as Udupi has seen many folds increase in local and immigrant population. The present hospital has become largely inefficient and insufficient to serve the poor people. In addition, there are no facilities available to treat emergency or critical patients.

Dr B R Shetty, a native of Udupi, successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, who established his healthcare and other business empire in the UAE, was the vice-chairman of Udupi municipality in early 70s. During his stint at Udupi municipality, Dr Shetty contributed a lot for the development of the district.

After migrating to Abu Dhabi, together with many other business ventures he started hospital and healthcare services which have today become an icon in healthcare both in the UAE and across the region. One of the critical success factors in the UAE healthcare sector is the provision of quality healthcare at affordable price which has benefitted both citizens and the poorest of the poor segments of the society. With his vast experience of more than 40 years in healthcare, Dr Shetty also expressed his keen interest to replicate this successful 'affordable healthcare for all' model in his home state.

While driving through KM Marg during one of his visits to his hometown of Udupi, he was saddened to see the dilapidated condition of the mother and child government hospital. He wanted to rebuild this hospital to serve the needy patients of his hometown, and accordingly, he approached successive governments in the state but none responded positively for the past several years.

Finally, the present health and family welfare minister in the government of Karnataka, Ramesh Kumar accepted and appreciated his vision with great interest and called him for a meeting. Dr Shetty flew down to Bengaluru within a week on a short notice and discussed in length with the minister and his entire team, gave a presentation to the government authorities which was accepted by everyone and appreciated.

The minister took the proposal to the chief minister, who accepted this novel idea and instructed the department concerned to study the proposal and implement it at the earliest.

Accordingly, Dr B R Shetty submitted his detailed project report on this novel project, reportedly a first-of-its-kind in India.

As per the project report, Dr Shetty will take over the existing government mother and child hospital on KM Marg, Udupi, rebuild the entire hospital by increasing the bed capacity by three times to 200 beds, equip the hospital with the latest diagnostic and treatment technologies, provide all medical and paramedical staff, provide staff quarters and medical service to the poor patients of Udupi district as per the norms of the government of Karnataka's health and family welfare department.

Thus, foundation was laid for the new project, aptly named Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother and Child Hospital, on October 30 by the chief minister. This hospital, dedicated for the service of the poorest of the poor, shall be operational within the next 8-10 months.

The management of the hospital will be supervised by a committee comprising of the government of Karnataka's director of medical services, DC of Udupi district, district surgeon and representatives from Dr B R Shetty's team. A periodical inspection report will be sent to the government for its scrutiny.


Super-specialty hospital

In the adjoining site, Dr Shetty has proposed to build a 350-400 bed capacity world class, state-of-the-art super-specialty hospital to provide best of the medical service to the general public. Treatment in this super-specialty hospital shall be chargeable to the affluent patients who can afford to pay ethically charged fee to the best of medical services in the region. This hospital will be operational within a year-and-a-half from the date of shifting the patients from the present hospital to the newly-built hospital premises in the adjoining site.

This super-specialty hospital shall also treat critical patients in the mother and child hospital who are in need of super-specialty services as per the norms of the government of Karnataka’s department of health and family welfare department.

On the west side of KM Marg, a community service centre shall be set up on the third site and will be operational soon after the inauguration of the super-specialty hospital.

Land in all the three sites has been granted to Dr Shetty on lease for a fixed lease amount and term (which is mutually renewable) as per the terms and conditions of the government of Karnataka.

At the end of the lease period, both hospitals will be handed over to the government without accepting any compensation or remuneration to Dr B R Shetty, states a press release, adding that this noble and novel initiative in Udupi, shall be the first PPP model of its kind in the healthcare sector in India.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Abdulla Moidu, Kerala

    Thu, Nov 16 2017

    Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother and Child Hospital was built by Modular Concepts www.modcongroup.com using a modular design, with sections constructed and transported separately to be erected on site.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree

  • k b r, mangluru

    Sun, Nov 06 2016

    nice to know that Udupi is getting ultra modern hospital.

    udupi is the city of future.

    Udupi Manipal Brahmavar belt has lot of untapped potential.

    Udupi is ideal capital for T N (Tulu Nadu) state.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [7]

  • rahul shetty, udupi

    Sat, Nov 05 2016

    Good decision by government . i am sure BRS management will maintain whatever they promised with Government to get the free land on lease to build a quality healthcare to all @ affordable price ... this is very important ... building hospital is easy ..... running hospital as per expectation is not easy specially public / private partner ship in indian market. suppose in 2 year time karnatak government cm will change ?????? what will happen then

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [10]

  • Michael Noronha, Mysore

    Sat, Nov 05 2016

    God Bless Dr.B.R.Shetty, Mr Ramesh Kumar Minister for Health, & Mr Siddharamaiah CM for this project. Such proposals at Taluk levels will definitely provide best medical facility to the poor in our State at low cost.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [13]

  • Shankar, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 05 2016

    RSS and Janasangh back ground brings out the best of human qualities in any human being.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [9]

  • Thomas Carlo, S.J., Bantval / Kolkata

    Sat, Nov 05 2016

    It is a noble cause to provide super specialty health care and services to the poor and needy persons. God bless Dr. Shetty and his team. Wish them all success in their endeavor.
    T. Carlo, s.J., Kolkata

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [8]

  • Rob Stan, Udupi / US

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    In Udupi & surrounding region there is only one major tertiary care hospital and there is no competitor unlike in Mangalore. There are instances of referring patients (by secondary hospitals and clinics) to Mangalore (this could be money making business) and it's difficult for elderly patients to go all the way to Mangalore. BRS hospital will bring the much needed competition at affordable price. I'm thinking that the only tertiary hospital in the region was planning to get this hospital too so that there is no competition at all.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [6]

  • peter, brahmavar

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Great man Dr. BR Shetty. Thank you for extending your service to your home town and poor people. All Hitek hospitals in Udupi must reduce their charges and increase the service other wise this is difficult them to sustain.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [12]

  • Evans Christopher Sumitra, UDUPI/ NEW YORK, USA.

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Congratulations to Dr B R Shetty. You have added one more feather to your cap by this unique state-of-the-art hospital. This hospital will not only help take care of the need of people from Udupi but also other states. Good luck and God bless.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [5]

  • Dr Erel Diaz, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Congratulations Dr B R Shetty. A noble deed indeed. God Bless u.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [21]

  • marol, udupi

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Health is wealth. Each one must look after one's health from the time of childhood. No chance should be given for neglecting one's health.
    At present the environment itself is so much polluted that sicknesses of one or the other kind tend to destroy one's health. Regular health-care habits need to be cultivated by one and all. Not letting health to spoil till old age. From womb to tomb one must take care of oneself so that things turn happy and sound for one and all. Thank you and God bless each and every one of us.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [8]

  • Alexander P Menezes, Karkala/Dubai

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    This is indeed a noble deed from Mr. BR Shetty to give something back to the society. It is not everyone has this desire to serve the society with his hard earned money. Mr. BR Shetty, need not use this Hospital to make money for himself.For those who oppose this move, please keep your opinions to yourself. These handful of people are against the developments and against providing the healthcare services to the Poor. We wish Mr. Shetty all the best in his endeavor and pray that almighty bless this individual with all that he needs to fulfill his dream project and may Udupi develop through his Vision.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [31]

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mumbai

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    People who are willing to pay Rs. 5000 to quacks,
    will now be glad to pay Rs. 500 per day to this genuine hospital ...

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [24]

  • abdulla, india

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Let this hospital be a bench mark. or a model or a standard for other hospitals ..
    health care ..hospitals should be like 5 star hotels.
    clean..disciplined.. customer /patient friendly.crisp..
    clean....
    follow American ..European standards...

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [22]

  • wilson, mangalore

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Appreciate the Humanitarian work of kind hearted Padmashree Dr. B.R>Shetty.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [27]

  • lukas, malpe

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    good decision by the government to handover this to private management, if its government people never get good facilities, only looting public money in the name of development.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [44]

  • Rao, Udupi

    Fri, Nov 04 2016

    Great Concept. Should be a game changer for health care in Udupi.
    It looks like a smart concept of having a super speciality hospital which is chargeable and a free women and child hospital for the needy. Health care is very necessary requirement of the region. Manipal Hospital which is catering to this need is overloaded and an alternative is an urgent necessity of the region.

    We wish all the best to BRS group and the State Government for this initiative.

    Reply Report Abuse Agree [63]


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