Our chief minister, generally seen in a spotless white dhoti and shirt, suddenly donned a lounge suit and flew to Dubai, the UK and the USA for a series of photo-ops. We were informed that the purpose of the trip was to attract investment in Tamil Nadu. The news media gave much publicity to the fact that he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the King's College Hospital of London to open branches in Tamil Nadu. I wonder whether this is one of the foreign investments in our state, and what will be the financial arrangements? Will the London hospital hire staff from here, or bring their own people? This hospital is run by the National Health Service (NHS) of the UK, and it is widely recognized that NHS funding is not keeping up with inflation, and services are actually being cut. Does the NHS hope to derive some income from Indian patients, or does it intend to do charity for our poor? I have written to the health secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu asking for some clarification about this. I do not expect a reply, but will certainly inform you if I receive one.
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