Mangalore: District hospitals set to be renamed after social activist, warrior queen

Mangalore, 27 Jan 2013 (TOI): The District Wenlock Hospital and Lady Goschen hospital is all set to be renamed after a person who championed the cause of Dalits and a warrior queen who took on the might of the Portuguese much before the First Indian War of Independence. A decision to this effect was taken at the ArogyaRakshaSamitis of the two hospitals that Minister for Higher Education and DakshinaKannada district in-charge CT Ravi chaired here on Saturday.

 

Deputy speaker of the state assembly N Yogish Bhat proposed that the District Wenlock Hospital be named after Kudmul Ranga Rao, social visionary who is said to have inspired Gandhiji’s pro-Dalit views and the Lady Goschen hospital after warrior queen Veerarani Abbakka. MLC K Monappa Bhandary seconded this resolution that Bhat, also Mangalore City South MLA proposed. Ravi directed the officials concerned to follow up this with the government.

 

Taking note of the contributions by donors in development of the two hospitals in the district, Bhat said facilities in these hospitals should be developed further with their help. MRPL is lending assistance to upgrade the Lady Goschen hospital to a 500-bedded facility as part of its corporate social responsibility works, Bhat said, adding that the work has been tendered for Rs 21.70 crore. The foundation stone for the work will be laid next month, he noted.

 

The Samiti after prolonged discussion decided to purchase additional X-Ray machine for Wenlock. On setting up a MRI machine, Ravi directed district surgeon Dr Saroja to submit a report in six days covering its procurement, installation and maintenance aspects. The Samiti decided to seek financial assistance of Rs 10 crore from KMC for ongoing construction work of 55-year-old GNM Nursing Hospital which has started with funding of Rs 90 lakh.