Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences: GO calling for expansion through private participation opposed

Vishakhapatnam: Cancellation of the G.O. No. 33, issued by the Chandrababu Naidu government on April 6, regarding the expansion of the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) under PPP mode has been demanded by Former Minister Konathala Ramakrishna.

The Former Minister and Convener of Uttarandhra Charcha Vedika (UCV), an organization, promoting the cause of development of North Andhra, visited the Institute on Wednesday and met K. Satyavara, Director , VIMS to discuss the issue.

Later speaking to the press Mr. Ramakrishna said the G.O. revealed that new super specialities in neonatology and paediatric intensive care, sports injuries and stem cell therapy, cardiac sciences, gastro, renal neonatology and paediatric intensive care, sports injuries and stem cell therapy would be developed with private partners and this was being done with the objective of developing VIMS as a ‘centre of excellence’.

According to Ramakrishna, the order also stated that the private developer would invest Rs.100 crore, which in turn would lend regular revenue to VIMS for its upkeep and functioning. The G.O. also clarified that this would lead to the state government not having to invest any further.

The former Minister recalling the main objective of having set up VIMS said it was done to make it an institution of higher learning in medical sciences and to help the poor in getting specialized medical care. The implementation of the G.O. he said would defeat this objective reported Hindu.

He said with entire departments getting leased to private players, VIMS would end up becoming a mere facilitator, as per the Government order implementation. The Medical Council of India (MCI), he clarified would also not recognize VIMS as an institute if a private partner was given the institute on a lease.