Will develop govt hospitals under PPP

Chittoor: Health Minister Kamineni Srinivas said that the state government is contemplating to hand over eight government hospitals to corporate hospitals if they come forward. Speaking to the media here on Saturday, Kamineni stated the government wants to develop infrastructure and improve medical services at district headquarters hospitals under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

The Minister visited the district headquarters hospital here on Saturday. Some of the sanitation workers have fell on the feet of Minister and requested him to instruct the Apollo management to clear their pending salaries. It may be mentioned here that district headquarters hospital was handed over to Apollo Hospitals three years ago on 33-year lease for clinical attachment.

Dr A Arun Kumar, In-charge Superintendent brought to the notice of the Minister that four-month salaries were not paid to sanitation workers. Kamineni sought an explanation from the Superintendent of the Apollo Hospitals. Not convinced with his answer, the Minister stated that it is the responsibility of the Apollo Hospitals to maintain sanitation of the government hospital as per agreement. He directed the Superintendent to clear pending salaries of sanitation workers within six hours.

Srinivas has expressed anger over authorities of the Apollo Group of Hospitals for showing negligence in resolving several important issues pertaining to Government General Hospital. He asked the officials of the Apollo Hospitals to ensure free service is provided to poor patients and added that it is mandatory for them to appoint doctors and paramedical staff.

When certain scribes have brought the lapses of the Apollo management in running the government hospital, the Minister assured to depute a competent authority to probe into alleged failures of the Apollo Hospitals for taking necessary action. District Collector P S Pradyumna, District SP Rajasekhar Babu and other officials were present.