Pics: Kevin Rodrigues
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)
Udupi, Mar 1: “I do not want to talk much about the current developments. I do not want to address any issues. I have been cheated due to false allegations. People have broken my trust. I am sure of coming out of this situation very soon. I have not cheated anyone. People have supported me even in this difficult period,” said NRI entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr B R Shetty.
He was speaking to media persons at an event organised to celebrate 10,000 births at Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & Child Hospital here in Udupi, on Monday March 1.
Shetty further said, “To look after this hospital I have formed a trust. Half of my wealth is pledged for charity work. The honourable Sheikh of Abu Dhabi has given me a land over there and I am the founder chairman of the temple building committee. Even though I am not into temple construction but healthcare, I said that I will give my best and hence a temple will soon come up.
“My market capital was $12.8 billion in 2018. The major shares were from NMC. But I had stepped down from the post of CEO in 2017. Even now, regarding asset, I am still strong,” he said.
Earlier, the first and the 10,000th child born at the hospital were honoured in a simple ceremony. The 10,000th delivery was successfully completed on February 24 last month. The first baby, Khashvi, born on July 2, 2018, and parents Roopa Praveen and Praveen Poojary, and the 10,000th baby, Mohammed Sajil, and parents Umai Banu and Usman Ali, were facilitated by the guests on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Shetty, recalled his initial days in Udupi before starting his carrier in the Gulf. He recalled the service of Dr K K Pai and Dr V S Archaya’s vision to develop Udupi. “I had witnessed the poor quality of health facilities in Udupi, hence decided to do something for my native at that movement itself.” He explained the journey how he ventured into the project along with the state government. “I decided to provide world class facilities and medical equipment to this hospital. There is centralized air-conditioning, no billing counter at any coroner of the hospital and much more facilities for the patients who comes here for treatment. We have not compromised on any facilities for the patients, from medicines to equipment. We have treated patients from different parts of the county without charging anything.
“Looking at the project, I have been invited by different state governments of the country to take up similar projects in their respective states. There are some issues to be addressed as discussed with MLA Raghupati Bhat, which I will, but not at this point of time. I want to construct a statue of Dr V S Archaya at Ajjarkad and develop the school here where the late Vishveshatheertha Swamiji of Pejawar Math studied. I hope the administration will consider this proposal,” he said.
Answering queries from media, Shetty said, “Due to parking issues at the place, we had planned 3-level basement parking, which was designed by world-class construction company L&T. I do not have anything to do with it. I do not want the returns from the super speciality hospital which I will constrict next to this hospital. Whatever income will be generated from that hospital, will be utilized to run this free hospital. Because of this, poor and needy will get world class treatment for free.”
In his address, K Raghupati Bhat, MLA, Udupi constituency said, “We are here to celebrate the success of the 10,000th child birth in this hospital. I appreciate the work of the dedicated staff here. I am also glad to meet Dr B R Shetty here today. No pay concept is indeed a very good one.
“I have heard about Dr Shetty since 1972. Even though I had never met him before, I heard many things about him as Dr V S Acharya was the first president of the Udupi Municipal, Council and Dr Shetty was the vice president. Today, he has achieved many things globally.
“Initially, I was not in favour of privatisation of the government hospital and even held protest on this. But after being elected as the MLA of the constituency, I had visited this hospital and was surprised to see the facilities provided for the patients. Good infrastructure with modern equipment helps the poor to get better treatment. I was satisfied later with the developments. We will not find such facilities even in private hospitals.
“We have requested the government to appoint a unit of government doctors in this hospital so that it helps some of the government officials for their treatment here. In some cases, there is a need of referral from government doctors.
“Stopping the building work of district hospital had nothing to do with this hospital. To stop the construction of the super speciality hospital has nothing to do with this hospital. As there was no provision for a 3-level basement parking under the CMC level, we would have to make changes in the ZRR rules if permission was given,” he said.
Deputy commissioner G Jagadeesha congratulated the proud parents, all the doctors and staff of the hospital. “If one person like Dr Shetty comes forward in each district, then everyone will get quality healthcare in the nation. People from outside the district are also being treated here,” he said.
Kushal Shetty, county head, India Operations, BRS Ventures, briefed the details about the project. Dr Omkar Nayak, welcomed the gathering, Janet rendered the vote of thanks and Reena, nursing educator, compered the programme.
Dr Madhusudhan Nayak, district surgeon, Udupi, Dr Shikha, medical superintendent, Dr Omkar Nayak, head, bio medical of Hospital, were present.