HRF opposes move to privatise VIMS

The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has strongly opposed the decision of the State government to hand over various departments of the Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) to private entities in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

In a statement issued on Thursday, HRF district general secretary N.N. Srinivasa Rao and district president M. Sarat demanded scrapping of G.O. no. 33 that seeks to facilitate privatisation of the hospital. They noted that VIMS was established to cater to the health care needs of people of backward North Andhra region as well as the neighbouring States.

“Earlier, the government had tried to privatise the VIMS but had to shed the move owing to vehement opposition from people. It has already approved the PPP route for dialysis, radiology and diagnostic centres. It is now trying to privations some more departments which is not acceptable,” they said.

Adequate funds sought

They also demanded that the VIMS be developed in a full-fledged manner with adequate allocation of funds and appointment of staff on a permanent basis.