Siddaramaiah Pushes for Free Treatment for BPL Cardholders

Mangaluru: Stressing the need for accessible healthcare for the poor and rural population, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asked the government-run Institute of Nephro Urology and Jayadeva Institute to provide free treatment to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the regional office of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences at Maryhill in Mangaluru today.

“As Chief Minister, I often see poor people who seek treatment in private hospitals, spending Rs 20-40 lakhs, and later approach the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for help. How can we meet such demands? That is why I am insisting that the Institute of Nephro Urology and Jayadeva Institute provide free treatment to BPL cardholders as much as possible while charging Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders based on their financial capacity,” Siddaramaiah said.

He emphasized the need for government-run health facilities to expand services like kidney and liver transplants so that the poor can benefit.

“Providing quality healthcare to all citizens of Karnataka is our duty. While the rich can afford private hospitals, the poor and villagers depend on government-run healthcare facilities. Their health protection is the responsibility of the doctors in government hospitals,” he said.

Siddaramaiah noted that wealthy individuals and politicians rarely rely on government hospitals, using himself as an example. He called for improving the quality of services at government health facilities to make them a preferred choice for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

“It is not just about the number of doctors, teachers, colleges, and universities. What matters is whether they are pro-people and working for society,” he added.

Recalling his tenure as Finance Minister from 1994 to 1999, Siddaramaiah recalled his resolution to establish government medical colleges and government hospitals in every district of Karnataka.

“There are still districts without them,” he said.

When guests on the dais pointed out that Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts lack government medical colleges, Siddaramaiah acknowledged the need for one in every district.

“Dakshina Kannada and Udupi are educational and healthcare hubs, with many hospitals providing services here. However, there should also be a government medical college in all the districts. If we have more government medical colleges, poor and rural students can become doctors. Those who have experienced hardship and poverty are more likely to work for and respond to the needs of the poor,” he added.