Members of Socialist Unity Centre of India (C) collecting signatures during a campaign in Dharwad on Monday.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

As part of a mega protest seeking the strengthening of the government healthcare system planned to be organised during the month-end, members of Socialist Unity Centre of India (C) launched a signature campaign in Dharwad on Monday.

Through the signature campaign, SUCI(C) is demanding free and quality treatment at all government healthcare centres and hospitals, including the District Civil Hospital in Dharwad and KMC-RI in Hubballi.

Launching the signature campaign in front of the District Hospital in Dharwad on Monday, district committee member of SUCI(C) Gangadhar Badiger said that many government hospitals, including the District Hospital in Dharwad and KMC-RI Hospital in Hubballi, are plagued by various problems and official apathy has further aggravated the situation.

The hospitals are facing shortage of expert doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff and also advanced medical equipment, he said.

Citing the reason of non-release of grants, he said that even BPL card holders are being asked to pay fees for availing themselves of various medical services in the hospitals.

And, the fewer number of counters has forced patients and their attendants to stand in long queues, at times for almost a day, to get medical services, he said.

What is even worse is that doctors are prescribing medicines which are not available at hospitals and patients are being forced to buy them from private pharmacies. How can poor patients afford to pay for such medicine, he sought to know.

Along with Mr. Badiger, Madhulata Goudar, Bhavanishankar Gouda, Hanumesh Hude, Gangubai Kokare, Randeep Tuppad, Shashikala Meti and others appealed to the public to be part of the campaign for free and quality healthcare.

He also urged them to take part in the mega protest planned on January 30.