Communist Party of India (Marxist) has threatened to intensity its protest if the State government goes ahead with allowing private medical colleges to offer health services from government healthcare centres.
The CPI(M) activists took part in a protest march on Thursday (May 14, 2026) from Ambedkar Circle to Clock Tower Circle. The protest follows the government signing a MoU with Yenepoya Medical College, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Alvas Health Centre to offer health services at Vitla Community Health Centre (CHC), Bantwal Taluk Hospital and Moodbidri CHC.
The government was slated to shortly sign MoU with Alvas Health Centre to allow it to offer services at the Belthangady Taluk Hospital. The government has called upon private medical colleges across the State to offer health services at the nearest government healthcare centres.
Commercialisation of health services
Addressing the protestors at the Clock Tower Circle, CPI(M) Dakshina Kannada district Secretary Muneer Katipalla said allowing private medical colleges to work from government healthcare centres was nothing but a commercialisation of services. Criticising Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, Mr. Katipalla accused the Minister of doing the greatest disservice to Dakshina Kannada residents with this move.
