Trust Key to Positioning Coastal Karnataka as Global Healthcare Hub: MAHE VC

Trust Key to Positioning Coastal Karnataka as Global Healthcare Hub: MAHE VC

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, July 12, 2026: Trust is the cornerstone of transforming coastal Karnataka into a global healthcare destination, said Dr K. Sharath Rao, Vice-Chancellor of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, at the inaugural CII Mangaluru Healthcare Summit 2026 held here on Saturday.

Delivering the keynote address at the summit on "Advancing Coastal Karnataka as a Global Healthcare Destination," Dr Rao said patients choose hospitals not only for treatment but for the trust they place in doctors, institutions and outcomes. He said the region is well-positioned to become a healthcare hub with its strong clinical expertise, reputed institutions, expanding infrastructure and growing patient inflow.

Highlighting the role of innovation, he stressed integrating academia with healthcare research and cited the use of ICU data analytics to predict and prevent lung infections. He noted that healthcare services are increasingly shifting to Tier-II cities because of their quality, affordability and patient-friendly environment.

Dr Rao said coastal Karnataka produces nearly 2,000 medical graduates, 700–800 specialists and around 200 super-specialists annually, making it one of India’s strongest healthcare talent pools. He called for centres of excellence to enhance skills and urged greater use of artificial intelligence in preventive, predictive and personalised healthcare.

Dr Vijay Bhaskaran, Chief Operating Officer of Kauvery Hospitals and Convener of the CII Karnataka Healthcare Taskforce, said Karnataka is now among the top three states for medical tourism and that Mangaluru has the potential to emerge as a leading healthcare destination. He emphasised building an integrated healthcare ecosystem, investing in talent, strengthening trust in non-metro healthcare, adopting technology and creating a strong global brand for the region.

Dr Alexander Thomas, Founder and Patron of the Association of Healthcare Providers (India), called for collaborative efforts to position coastal Karnataka as an integrated healthcare destination. He stressed scalable healthcare models for Tier-II cities, greater adoption of medical technology and AI, continuous upskilling of doctors and a stronger focus on preventive healthcare.

Abhinav Bansal, Chairman of CII Mangaluru, and Ananthesh V. Prabhu were present. The summit also featured technical sessions on Tier-II healthcare transformation, medical technology and digital health.