CM Siddaramaiah pays surprise visit to Victoria Hospital, calls for expansion

"Since people are getting free treatment here, there will be too much pressure on the doctors. I have told them to be patient," Siddaramaiah said.

He further said that he had given strict instructions that no one should take even a rupee from patients.

"I noticed that liver transplant in private hospitals costs about Rs 40 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, but here it is done free of cost. The demand is to increase the capacity," Siddaramaiah said.

According to the CM, presently, there are 120 beds available in the gastroenterology department. There is a proposal to make it a 300-bed facility, which the government will consider, he added.

Siddaramaiah said during his interaction, patients told him that the doctors took good care of them and proper food was given to them.

When reporters highlighted that private ambulance drivers are running a racket here since government ambulances are not available, Siddaramaiah said by dailing 108, people can avail the government service.

The 108 services will be restarted, Minister Patil said, without elaborating further.

The CM said he also visited the Vani Vilas Hospital. More than 40 deliveries take place daily, he said.

Also Read:Karnataka Plans Organ Transplant Centres in 22 Medical Colleges