Speaker U.T. Khader and Ivan D’Souza, MLC, on Friday backed Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao’s decision to allow private medical colleges to offer their health services at government health facilities under separate memoranda of understanding.

Speaking at a programme organised at the Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall in Mangaluru, Mr. Khader said it is difficult for the government to work alone in the health and education sectors. There is a need for the private sector to work with the government. It was during his term as the Health Minister that the government framed a policy to allow private medical colleges to offer their health services, free of cost, at the government health care centres.

“Private medical colleges do not come forward to offer health services as they have to incur a cost of around ₹6 lakh per month (at each centre). Mr. Rao has taken the trouble to convince private medical colleges to offer routine and specialised health services at the government hospitals,” Mr. Khader said.

The government has allowed A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences, Alva’s Health Centre, and Yenepoya Medical College in Dakshina Kannada to offer health services at Bantwal Taluk Hospital, Community Health Centre (CHC) Moodbidri, and CHC Vitla, respectively.

“The people in the respective locations do not object to this decision. Those sitting far away from these health centres are making comments, without proper understanding,” Mr. Khader said.

Ivan D’Souza, MLC, used the example of Kasturba Medical College’s role in providing health services at the Government Wenlock and Lady Goschen Hospital in Mangaluru. “These two government hospitals are like the two eyes of the district. The private sector wants to work with government healthcare centres to offer services to the needy people,” he said.

Defending the decision, Mr. Rao said the MoUs were signed to provide quality treatment, free of cost, to people at the government health care centres. “The overall control of the hospitals will remain with the government. If any organisation has any doubt about our action, they are free to contact me. I am ready to clarify,” Mr. Rao said.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has opposed the government’s move to allow private medical colleges to offer services at government health facilities. It recently held a protest march in Mangaluru and has threatened to launch a district-wide agitation.

The Social Democratic Party of India held a protest demonstration near the Clock Tower Circle in Mangaluru on Friday, opposing the government’s decision.