Cops kept the Dalit leader from joining a protest against the privatisation of a civil hospital
Dalit leader Jignesh Mevani was detained by the state police at around 1.30 pm on Saturday when he was on his way to join a protest against the privatisation of the civil hospital in Dahod. The hospital has been given to Zydus Cadila for management since October 2017. Locals organised a protest, claiming high prices charged for services at the hospital.
Bharat Shah, who was among those detained with Mevani, said the cops had practically obstructed all roads leading to Dahod. Mevani, in a release, too questioned the unusual police presence and why an MLA in Gujarat could not join a protest.
"We had to take internal roads to avoid the police who interestingly had refused to give permission for the protest citing they did not have enough men on hand. But they had enough men to block all roads leading to Dahod to prevent Mevani," said Shah. He alleged that close to 50 people in Mevani's team were detained and later let off at around 4 pm. Shah said Mevani decided to join the protest after the protesters sought his help in bringing to light the issue of civil hospitals being given to private players for a pittance.
Rajendra Valvai, a local who was leading the protest, said the hospital was made under the sub plan grant meant for tribals. "Health and education is the government's responsibility. The fact that the government has given the civil hospital to Zydus, a pharma company for it to open a medical college shows that the government is washing its hands off its responsibilities," said Valvai. He alleged that since the private takeover in 2017, the hospital has been charging hefty fees and does not have MBBS doctors on its rolls. "Seven of the doctors on duty are homeopathic doctors. The hospital charges additional fees for blood supplied by Red Cross," said Valvai.
A spokesperson from Zydus Hospitals said that the hospital has abided by all the norms and guidelines as laid down by the MCI and Govt of Gujarat in terms of recruitment and overall functioning of the staff for the past five months of running the hospital.
"We do not charge any fees for treatment. In fact we have been approved by the grievance redressal and performance review committee headed by the Collector. We will continue to abide by ethical standards and regulations as laid down by the MCI," the hospital said in its response
WHAT PROTEST?
- The civil hospital in Dahod has been given to Zydus Cadila for management since October 2017.
- Locals claim the hospital is charging high prices for services.
- 50 people from Mevani’s team were allegedly detained.
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 "Jignesh Mevani")
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