Media Release
Udupi, Aug 20: BRS Group, which runs the Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & Child Hospital, has clearly reconfirmed that they are fully committed to provide free services in the hospital with the full support of the state government.
In a media release, BRS Group stated, “BRS Group is proud to associate with the government of Karnataka in participating in a novel health care service, a first-of-its-kind under PPP mode, in the entire nation.
“Dr B R Shetty, a native of Udupi wanted to serve the poor patients of Udupi in his own way and gave a proposal to the state government in the year 2016 to rebuild the old and dilapidated 70 bed capacity mother and child hospital with a brand-new state of the art, centrally air conditioned 200 bed capacity mother & child hospital where the treatments for the patients shall be absolutely free of charge. To meet the expenses of construction, equipment, staff salary, medicines, treatment, food and maintenance and upgradation, another 400-bed capacity super specialty hospital to be built where treatments are ethically and affordably charged. Revenue generated in the super specialty hospital shall be used to meet the expenses of both hospitals and any excess income over expenditure should be reinvested to the project for maintenance and upgradation.
Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & Child Hospital (file photo)
“Dr B R Shetty has given in writing to the government that the entire project (both hospitals) is NOT FOR PROFIT and he has also given an undertaking that he will not take a single rupee as profit from the project.
“Accordingly, the government very happily accepted his proposal as the same is first-of-its-kind in India and government also took the pride to introduce new and novel project in the state under PPP mode.
“The government of Karnataka had a detailed discussion on the proposal and issued a government order in the month of October 2016 granting permission to BRS Group to go ahead with the project.
“Accordingly, an MOU was signed between the government and BRS Group on October 29, 2016 and foundation stone for the mother & child hospital was laid on October 30, 2016. Construction of the same has been completed and soft opening of the hospital was done by the then chief minister on November 19, 2017, just in a year and the same was dedicated to the general public on January 18, 2018.
“As per the MOU, government shall provide the land on lease for a period of 30 years, definitive agreement shall be signed within one year from the date of MOU, extend support to get necessary approvals/permissions to build and operate both hospitals. lt is also agreed that all state and central government health care schemes shall be implemented in MCH and all applicable grants/reimbursements shall be paid to MCH hospital. BRS Group built the MCH hospital within a year as agreed with the government but unfortunately government has not signed the Definitive Agreement till date. Even though the draft agreement has been finalized by both parties in the year 2018, till now the same is pending with the government.
“As per agreed terms with the government, after inauguration of MCH, BRS Group applied for necessary permissions/approvals for the super specialty hospital in the year 2018, but till date such permissions/approvals were not granted or held back by the local authorities, despite of specific guidance was given by the government. Foundation stone for Super Specialty Hospital was laid on June 18, 2017 by the then President of India.
“Unfortunately, we did not get the committed support and co-operation from the government and local authorities for the reasons best to known to them. Even the reimbursements under ABRK and other schemes due for the last financial year ending March 31, 2021 has not been released fully till date in addition to the reimbursements pending till July 31, 2021.
“We read in the local media that government has released R 50 lacs as support funding to MCH which is far away from the fact. It is the part of ABRK scheme payment due to MCH as per the agreed terms. We would like to emphasize that entire amount of Rs 50 lacs have been fully utilized to pay the salary of doctors, paramedical and other staff including their PF, ESI and other benefits.
“Since January 19, 2018 till date, we have treated 2,02,588 OPD patients and performed 11,496 deliveries absolutely free of charge. It is a matter of great pride for management and team of MCH that 23,000 proud parents and more than 2 lac OPD patients can vouch for the quality treatment and services provided by the hospital. The same has also been appreciated by visitors, VVIPS, government agencies and many more. Some of the certificates awarded by the government departments are the proof for the best quality services provided, a pride of Udupi.
“We are proud of our entire team in the hospital who have served selflessly with total dedication and devotion. They are the people who provided the best of care and built the reputation of the hospital in pan India level and management is greatly indebted to them.
“Unfortunately, we have observed that lately some individuals, with vested interests and personal agenda are meddling with the operations of the hospital, instigating our hospital staff to disturb and disrupt the hither to smooth operations. It is really unfortunate that for personal benefits of such people, general public and poor patients of Udupi are deprived of free medical services provided in Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial Haji Abdullah Mother & Child Hospital.
“Due to the delay by the government to sign the definitive agreement, we have already given our proposal to the government to continue the services with some modifications which is pending since last two months.
"BRS Group once again ascertained that they are fully committed to provide absolutely free services in the MCH hospital and with the full support of the state government they assure to the general public that MCH services will continue without any disturbances or obstruction," stated the press release.