'Everything is done as per rules only'

Chittoor/Hyderabad, July 4: "The government is not handing over government hospitals just like that to anyone who ask for it. They are being given to Apollo, as per the rules of Medical Council of India," said AP State Medical and Health department Special Chief Secretary LV Subrahmanyam. He also challenged the media that he will stop taking lunch if the medical services available here are good. He along with the five-member committee visited the Chittoor government hospital. The committee was formed to give its report after inspecting the hospital over giving the hospital to Apollo for lease. After inspecting the hospital, Subrahmanyam said poor people would get better medical services with private partnership in government hospitals. The 320-bed government hospital may develop into 1,200-bed in future. The committee would submit its report on the feasibility of the lease. Subrahmanyam said the hospital will be modernised along with more investments and deemed courses relating to medical profession would be introduced. Proposals were submitted for introducing deemed courses in Nandyal and Vizianagaram government hospitals also. Meanwhile, CPI leaders staged a dharna protesting against the privatisation of Chittoor government hospital.