Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said private hospitals had an obligation to provide healthcare at an affordable cost and asked them to supplement the Government's efforts in reaching medical facilities to the people.

Inaugurating the Apollo Reach Hospital and the Vasan Eye Care and Research Institute in Karaikudi, Dr Singh said the Government's aim was to provide good medical care at affordable cost to the people. But, given the vastness of the country and large population, its efforts needed to be supplemented by the private sector.