Kochi, 03 November (HS): A hospital built by Tata Trusts in Kerala’s Kasaragod district during the 2019 Covid pandemic is being dismantled and demolished by the State Government much to the anguish of the people.

The Tata Trust built the hospital at a cost of Rs 62 crore when it came to know that there were no specialty hospitals is the district to take care of the Covid patients and patients had to be transported to Mangalore in neighbouring Karnataka for treatment.

Despite the Tata Trust completing the work of the hospital and installation of medical equipment in record speed, the Kerala Government took nearly six months to appoint doctors and medical staff to the 600-bed hospital.

“This is a heart rending incident . The nation observed the first anniversary of Ratan Tata on 10th October. And the Kerala Government chose to pay their tributes to the great son of India by dismantling the hospital. The authorities are upset that they did not get the mandatory commission and cuts from the Trust,” said Sukumaran Periyachur, social activist who was in the forefront demanding the opening of the hospital. He said the move to demolish the hospital would remain as an eternal blot on the history of Kerala.

“The district is facing a severe shortage of hospitals and qualified doctors. Had it been in any other State, the administration would have maintained the hospital in an immaculate style. The Kerala Government did not pay a single rupee from the coffers for building the hospital and installation of medical equipment,” said a department of medical services official.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti