Mangaluru: The private hospitals and medical colleges should hand over 50% of their beds to the government, to treat Covid-19 patients, said District In-charge Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary.

The minister, after visiting A J Hospital and Srinivas Medical College Hospital, said that the government has given priority to the healthcare of people. Amid the rise in Covid-19 cases, private hospitals should extend their cooperation to the government in tackling the situation. Free treatment will be provided to the Covid infected under Ayushman Bharath scheme.

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V said that the detailed information on Covid treatment cost and Ayushman scheme should be furnished to the family of the infected during the admission of patients to the hospital.

The fee details should be displayed at the entrance of the hospital, he directed.

He said that Arogya Mithra had been appointed in all the private medical colleges, to furnish details on facilities available under Ayushman Bharath scheme.

MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr Selvamani and others were present.