Following media reports about shortage of funds at Niloufer hospital, where many children die everyday, members of Osmania University Joint Action Committee (OUJAC) ‘begged’ outside the hospital on Tuesday morning to protest against the government’s apathy in releasing funds.
According to police, the students were seen begging. “They had plans to go to the secretariat and give the collected money to the authorities. So, we took them into preventive custody under section 151 for begging on the streets. Also, health minister DL Ravindra Reddy was on his way to the hospital at that time,” said Nampally SHO Ch Sridhar.
Dressed in blue OUJAC T-shirts, the students collected around Rs 1,300 in a few minutes. “Fifteen of us had gathered outside the hospital. We wanted to collect money and present the amount to the minister. We were taken into custody on charges of begging,” said OUJAC spokesperson M Krishank. However, after being released in the afternoon, they gave the money to Niloufer hospital superintendent Dr D Ranganath.
“For years, Niloufer hospital has been lying in neglect and thousands of children die there annually. Ordering an enquiry today is foolish. We suspect the hand of private hospitals with close links with the chief minister in blocking funds to the hospital,” said Krishank. “We thought whatever sum we collect could be used for buying a few more beds for patients and their attendants, who are always seen taking shelter under trees or in the parking lot,” he added.