Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader Visits KMMM Office, Discusses Community Issues and Public Health Priorities

Bengaluru, June 10: Karnataka’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Khader, paid a goodwill visit to the central office of the Karnataka Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM) at Darus Salaam Building on Queens Road, Bengaluru. Leaders and representatives from various Muslim social, religious, and youth organizations across the state gathered at the office to welcome him and engage in a wide ranging conversation about public welfare and the challenges facing the community.

Among those present were KMMM Convener Maqsood Abdul Qadir, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Karnataka Secretary Mohammad Yusuf Kuna, Jamiat Ulema Karnataka Ameer Maulana Habibullah Ameen, Sunni Jamaat leader Allah Bakhsh Dodda Bhai, Solidarity Youth Movement Karnataka President Dr. Naseem, SIO Secretary Haiyan, and Brather Tawseef from ACTO Bengaluru, along with several other prominent figures.

Opening remarks set a hopeful tone

The event began with welcoming remarks from Mohammad Yusuf Kuna, who expressed high expectations from the minister’s leadership, particularly in the areas of health, education, and social development. He stressed that stronger collaboration between government bodies and community organizations could ensure that welfare schemes actually reach the poor, marginalized, and underserved populations who need them most.

Maqsood Abdul Qadir then offered a brief introduction to KMMM, describing it as a shared platform bringing together more than 25 Muslim organizations and institutions in Karnataka. He explained that the forum is actively working to promote political awareness, mutual coordination, unity, and collective problem solving within the community. He also touched on the current social and political landscape in the state and extended his best wishes to the minister.

A call for emergency air ambulance services

Brather Tawseef, speaking on behalf of ACTO Bengaluru, highlighted his team’s ongoing work in guiding and assisting poor and deserving patients in navigating government medical schemes, accessing private hospitals, and obtaining essential healthcare guidance. He made a pointed appeal to the minister, emphasizing the urgent need for an air ambulance service in Karnataka. He noted that Bengaluru’s severe traffic congestion has made it increasingly difficult to transport road accident victims and critically injured patients to major hospitals in time. He urged that if an air ambulance service could be launched during Khader’s tenure, it would stand as a historic contribution that people, especially those facing medical emergencies, would never forget.

Khader addresses political representation and self-improvement

In his address, Minister Khader thanked the Mahaz for the invitation and spoke at length about the social, educational, and political conditions of Muslims in the state. Responding to allegations that the Congress party has failed to give Muslims adequate representation in governance and leadership, the minister offered a nuanced perspective. He argued that simply securing opportunities is not enough. What matters equally, he said, is how well those opportunities are utilized, the quality of performance delivered, and the ability to earn further trust through genuine public service.

He pointed to the past, recalling how successive Congress governments had entrusted Muslim leaders with significant responsibilities and prestigious portfolios, including the finance ministry. He referenced the contributions of former Finance Minister S.M. Yahya and senior Muslim leader C.M. Ibrahim, noting that there was a time when Muslim representation in the Congress government was relatively strong and Muslim leaders played an effective role across multiple ministries. Rather than dwelling on grievances and feelings of deprivation, Khader urged the community to make the best use of available opportunities, demonstrate strong leadership, and deliver meaningful service, because good performance, he said, paves the way for greater opportunities and stronger political representation in the future.

Expanding healthcare access beyond poverty lines

Discussing his priorities in the health sector, the minister acknowledged that the state government’s existing Below Poverty Line schemes are providing medical facilities to economically weaker sections. However, he shared that one of his key priorities is to extend medical assistance and free or subsidized treatment to Above Poverty Line families who, despite technically falling above the poverty threshold, still cannot afford the cost of medical care. He expressed his desire to broaden the scope of healthcare provisions so that no deserving patient is denied treatment solely because of financial constraints.

A pledge of continued availability

Minister Khader assured the gathering that he would remain accessible for addressing community issues, improving public services, and working for the welfare of the people. He promised to keep his doors open for the collective progress and stability of the community and to fulfill his responsibilities with a spirit of dedicated public service.

The event concluded in a warm and positive atmosphere, with the minister exchanging views with attendees and stressing the importance of ongoing cooperation and regular communication between the government and community organizations to solve the problems facing the people.