mangalore today

Tele-radiology centre to cope with shortage of medics soon - Minister Khader


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Aug 16, 2015: Speaking to media,  Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader  said  a tele-radiology centre will be set up in Bangalore Medical College to overcome the shortage of radiologists in the government hospitals.   The minister said that tele-radiology service will facilitate sending of images of CT-scan and x-rays from selected district hospitals to the radiologists sitting at the tele-radiology centre, to get them assessed.


u t khaderThe first phase; service will be rolled out in four district hospitals and one taluk hospital of the State. The technician in the hospitals identified to provide the service will be trained in this regard. After assessing the CT-scan and x-ray reports, the report will be sent immediately to treat the patient.

In response to a query on delay in completion of the six-storeyed block at Lady Goschen Hospital, Khader said that he would speak to Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) to hasten on the work.   The construction work of the new building is being funded by MRPL, as a part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, he said. Admitting that there has been delay in completion of the work on the building, he said that the grant of Rs 10 crore released by the Health Department to construct a building for provision of 60 additional beds has not been utilised.

The concerned officials are told to ensure the completion of at least the ground floor, so that the block can be shifted and the present building demolished to make way for the new building.

The State government decided to hike the salary of doctors at government hospitals, there has been good response when the KPSC invited applications for MBBS and PG doctors. For the post of 381 MBBS doctors, the department received around 2,000 applications. For the post of 87 dentists, the department has got over 3,000 applications. As there were a few applications for some of the specialists’ posts, the last date to submit applications has been extended to August 24. The KPSC will recruit MBBS doctors based on merit to avoid delay. The rules on Kannada medium exam for the selected doctors too have been relaxed. The doctors can complete the exam within two years of recruitment.

Further,  minister said that the non-communicable diseases (NCD) control programme will be strengthened in all rural areas.  By the programme, four districts, including Mangaluru and Davangere, have been selected. A nurse has been appointed in all the Primary Health Centres to look after the NCD patients under treatment at the PHCs. The government will supply free medicines required for the patients. The NCD programme will be rolled out next month by organising an awareness programme on various health insurance schemes of the government for gram panchayat presidents. The minister said that talks are being held with ISKCON to provide meals to patients in government hospitals in the State.

Asked about Sundar Malekudiya - whose hands were severed in connection with a row over land - the minister said, facilities under ITDP will be extended to him fully. We will ensure that he and his family will lead a satisfying life.