CPI(M) to Hold Protest Rally Against Govt Hospital Tie-Ups With Private Colleges

CPI(M) to Hold Protest Rally Against Govt Hospital Tie-Ups With Private Colleges

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 10, 2026: Opposing the agreements between government hospitals and private medical colleges, the Dakshina Kannada district unit of the CPI(M) will stage a protest rally in Mangaluru on May 14 demanding the strengthening of public healthcare facilities.

The rally will begin at Ambedkar Circle and proceed to Clock Tower at 10.30 am.

Addressing mediapersons, CPI(M) district secretary Muneer Katipalla termed the agreements a “retrograde step” aimed at privatising the public healthcare sector. He urged the state government to immediately withdraw the agreements and instead improve government hospitals by appointing doctors and ensuring the supply of medicines and basic facilities.

The party alleged that handing over government hospitals to private medical institutions would eventually lead to the commercialisation of healthcare services, making affordable treatment inaccessible to common people, low-income groups and the lower middle class.

Katipalla said private medical institutions already dominate the healthcare sector in Dakshina Kannada district, while government hospitals and primary health centres continue to face shortages of doctors and medicines. He alleged that the neglect of public healthcare facilities was part of a deliberate attempt to facilitate their transfer to private medical colleges.

The CPI(M) also opposed the reported move to hand over the community health centres at Moodbidri and Vittal, and the taluk hospitals at Bantwal and Belthangady, to private medical colleges under the pretext of improving healthcare services.