Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday termed the privatization of district hospitals under the public-private partnership (PPP) model as a “very sensitive issue”, saying he could not promise a blanket shutdown of all such ventures, even as he acknowledged protests against privatization in some parts of the state.
“Due to long struggles and protests, the Chief Minister has already decided on the Vijayapura PPP issue. But these decisions are not in my hands alone and I cannot promise a blanket shutdown of all PPP undertakings,” he said at the valedictory meeting of the Right to Health (RTH) jatha in the city.
Organized across the state from February 2 to 17 by Drug Action Forum – Karnataka (DAF-K) and Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana – Karnataka (SAA-K), along with around 40 partner organizations, the jatha concluded with a public meeting attended by health activists, unions, community organizations and district delegations.
Memorandum
The memorandum submitted to the minister demanded the abolition of privatization of district hospitals under PPP models, enactment of a comprehensive Right to Health Act in Karnataka and provision of free and quality medicines in all government hospitals.
Bogesh Sollapura of Vijayapura referred to the 106-day agitation against the proposed privatization of the Government Medical College Hospital. “The chief minister’s intervention to stop it has given people hope that public hospitals must remain affordable for the poor,” he said, urging the government to abandon PPP models across districts.
Karibasappa, a local worker, said the PPP privatization of eight district hospitals has increased costs and reduced access for vulnerable communities dependent on public institutions.
The Right to Health Act
On the proposed legislation, Mr. Rao said the government has completed the groundwork. “We have completed all the background work for the introduction of the Right to Health Act and will soon submit it to the Minister,” he said.
He addressed concerns about drug shortages. “We have purchased the medicines and the process is being streamlined. All government hospitals will soon have sufficient supplies and within two months normal supply of medicines will be ensured free of charge,” he said.
Participants cited a 2024 survey in 12 districts that found patients collectively spent more than ₹4 million on medicines, highlighting gaps in the public supply system. Sayyed Ishmail of Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Ltd. (KSMSCL) said that more than 60% of the medical expenditure was on medicines.
Gopal Dabade, ENT surgeon and president of DAF-K, and Prasanna Saligram, public health researcher and member of SAA-K, said the mobilization in 31 districts strengthened public dialogue on health as a fundamental right and expressed hope for time-bound action from the government.
Published – 17 Feb 2026 20:24 IST