Panel to refurbish health sector gets nod

The State Cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to set up the State Health Systems Commission to recommend ways to improve medical education, promote healthcare research and integrate Indian system of medicine with the modern.

Briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister S Suresh Kumar said the Commission would recommend reforms in the healthcare system, enhancing standard of medical education and promoting healthcare research. The 10-member Commission will also look into the possibility of allowing private participation in improving medical education. It will comprise 10 members, including Principal Secretaries to Medical Education and Finance departments.

The Chairman will be appointed shortly, the minister said. Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas said the joint director of medical education department will be designated as the secretary to the Commission. With regard to the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Act, 2007, an amendment was made to extend the date of registration of private hospitals by six months from the date of approval. 

The decision to regularise services of specialist doctors working in the Department of Health and Family Welfare was approved, Ramdas said. The Cabinet approved the regularisation of services of 16 doctors working on contract basis.

The Cabinet also gave its nod to construct an administrative building comprising a lecture hall and an examination hall at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli, at an estimated cost of Rs 11.31 crore, Suresh Kumar said.

Also, administrative approval was granted to construct a 100-bed hospital in Srinivasapur taluk in Kolar district. Similarly, the construction of a 100-bed hospital at Bantwal taluk in Dakshina Kannada district was approved at the Cabinet meeting.