Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (NJC)

Mangaluru, Apr 18: The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), Dakshina Kannada District Committee, has announced a protest march to the office of district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on April 28, demanding the cancellation of agreements between government hospitals and private medical institutions.

Addressing a press conference, DYFI leaders strongly opposed the recent decision by the state Health and Family Welfare Department to approve tie-ups between government healthcare facilities and private medical colleges.

The agreements include linking Beltangady Taluk Hospital and Moodbidri Health Centre with Alva’s Health Centre, Bantwal Taluk Hospital with AJ Medical College, and Vitla Community Hospital with Yenepoya Medical College.

The organization termed these agreements as “anti-people” and alleged that the government is sidelining public healthcare to benefit private medical institutions. DYFI urged the health minister to immediately revoke these agreements and instead focus on strengthening government hospitals.

The committee highlighted the rising number of serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease in Dakshina Kannada district. According to data from 2025–26, as many as 13,322 patients (including those from outside the district) were treated for various cancers such as oral, breast, and cervical cancer in both government and private hospitals, indicating a worrying trend.

DYFI pointed out that due to inadequate facilities in government hospitals, people are forced to depend on expensive private healthcare, often leading to financial distress. The organisation also alleged that several private hospitals conduct unnecessary tests and charge exorbitant fees, pushing families into severe economic hardship. It further claimed that there have been instances where patients or even deceased bodies were withheld over unpaid hospital bills, despite complaints, with no strict action taken by authorities.

Criticising the condition of public healthcare, DYFI stated that primary health centres, community health centres, and taluk hospitals in the district are far below required standards.

The lack of super-speciality government hospitals for cancer, cardiac, neurological, and mental health treatment was also highlighted.

The organisation demanded the establishment of institutions on the lines of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in the district, along with a government medical college.

DYFI leaders expressed concern that despite decades of demand, the proposal for a government medical college in Dakshina Kannada has remained limited to budget announcements without actual financial allocation.

As part of its agitation, DYFI will organise a “Chalo” march on April 28. The protest will begin at 10 am from Wenlock District Government Hospital and proceed to the office of the district in-charge Minister at Padil. The organisation has appealed to the public to support and participate in the movement.

District president B K Imthiyaz, secretary Santosh Bajal, treasurer Manoj Vamanjoor, and other leaders including Nithini Kuttar, Charan Shetty Panjimujaru, and Rizwan Harekal were present at the press conference.