A Govt medical college in Udupi a must, Dist Minister

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 14, 2017: Speaking to media on the sidelines of a programme at Udupi March 13, Monday,Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj said he has submitted a proposal to the government to set up a medical college in Udupi.

The minister said the government would start the already-announced medical colleges. "I have stressed to chief minister to set up a government medical college in Udupi and submitted a proposal. About 20 acres of land will be required for setting up the college. About 25 acres of land belonging to Brahmavar Sugar Factory can be used for the purpose. I am hopeful that Udupi district will get a medical college," he said.

He said the Udupi government hospital has been upgraded to district hospital. With this, the sanctioned strength of staff has also increased. When it was a taluk hospital, the sanctioned strength of staff was 123. Now, it has been increased to 195. A total of 27 doctors have been sanctioned. Among them, 26 are functioning. The number of nurses in the hospital has been increased to 50 from 16. The doctors were not being recruited for the last eight years. Now, the direct recruitment process has been started, he said.

District surgeon Dr Madhusoodan Nayak said that earlier it was a 124-bed hospital and after the upgradation, it has been increased to 250 beds.  DHO Dr K Rohini said paramedical staff appointed under National Rural Health Mission cannot be regularised. However, they are given EPF and ESI facilities, she added.

Generic drug store : To supply medicines at an affordable price, Janasanjeevini Medical Centre, a generic drug centre, was inaugurated on March 13, Monday at the Udupi district hospital.

Minister Madhwaraj said generic medicines would be available in the store at prices 90% below the market price. The prescription by the doctors from government hospital and private hospitals could be shown at the medical centre to purchase medicines. Branded medicines would be available at prices 10% below the market price at the medical centre, he said.

Quality medicines are supplied at generic drug store and the people should not heed to any rumours on the generic medicines, Madhwaraj said.

A sum of Rs 20 lakh has been released towards the purchase of medicines at the district hospital. The generic drug stores have been opened at 39 places in Karnataka and are maintained by HLL Life Care Limited, he noted.

e-hospital : The minister also inaugurated e-hospital system where the complete details of the patients are documented online.  Aadhaar number or mobile phone number provided to the hospital by the patient would be used to store the data of the patient, including his medical history. Also, the number would help the patient or doctor to access his file containing information on his health, treatment provided and other details at any government hospital located in the Udupi district.