Mangaluru: Wenlock Hospital Takeover Proposal

The State Government has received a takeover proposal for the Wenlock Hospital on a 30-year lease from the Kasturba Medical College and Hospital. The takeover was suggested by the hospital, a fortnight ago.

The hospital has been utilised by the college since the 1950s to assist its students in gaining clinical experience. Besides which, the college has also made available to the hospital specialist services and diagnostic facilities.

The takeover proposal comes at a time when the government has made a decision to set up a new government medical college in the city and attach Wenlock to it. Towards this purpose, the JJM Medical College, Davangere, had been approached by the government to collaborate with the government hospital in the city to provide clinical experience to students.

A decision to start a new college in the city was taken in 2014 by the Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader. The minister had also suggested that the KMC, which had for long been associated with the Wenlock, be given time to shift out of the premises.

The Wenlock Hospital receives a clinical fee of Rs. 2 crores from KMC. Besides which, the KMC also supports salaries of the housekeeping & security staff. The KMC is presently running its own hospital near the Ambedkar Circle, Attavar.

Mr. Khader, while acknowledging the acceptance of the proposal, told The Hindu that the Arogya Raksha Samiti of the Wenlock Hospital, headed by Deputy Commissioner, A.B. Ibrahim, had been given a detailed note.

He stated that the Samiti would have to place its report on his table after contemplation on it.

Mr. Khader made clear that imposing directives would be given to the KMC on provisions of treatment facilities at Wenlock Hospital and that they would have to maintain the standards outlined by the Medical Council of India in the day-to-day management of the hospital.

Mr. Khader specifically mentioned the importance of having to look into the imposition of conditions regarding the management of the hospital. He also made clear that at no point would the government want to give up the administrative reins of the hospital.