Karnataka govt mulling new medical colleges under PPP model

'The government wants to set up medical colleges in all districts. Karnataka has 71 medical colleges, which is second highest in the country,' said state Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Dr Sharanprakash R Patil.

Mangaluru: Karnataka Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Dr Sharanprakash R Patil on Tuesday said that the state government is mulling establishing government medical colleges under the public-private partnership (PPP) model in those districts where the government is yet to set up such colleges.

Speaking after the inauguration of various facilities including Kanachur Ayurveda Hospital, at Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre arena at Natekal, the minister said, “The establishment of government medical colleges ensure that meritorious students from rural areas and poor students get seats under merit. There is a need for more doctors."

"The government wants to set up medical colleges in all districts. Karnataka has 71 medical colleges, which is second highest in the country. The state also has over 800 nursing colleges and hundreds of allied health science colleges. Karnataka is emerging as a leader in professional education, particularly in medical education. Karnataka has the right ecosystem to contribute to medical education," he added.

The minister further said, "Indian doctors are recognised all over the world for their skills and hard work."

Dr Sharanprakash Patil stressed the importance of multi-skill development centres to prepare the workforce to face future challenges. " We are focusing on reskilling and upskilling our workforce to meet future demands with the advancement in Artificial Intelligence and other technologies," Dr Patil said.

He said more industries should invest in Mangaluru and called for a collaborative approach to create a conducive environment for industrial growth.

Holistic approach

Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao said that a holistic approach is essential to encourage healthier living.

Raising concerns over increase in lifestyle diseases among youngsters, he said that the increasing prevalence of lifestyle diseases are directly linked to lifestyle choices and lack of physical activity.

He said that there is a need for integrating Ayurveda, Allopathy, Unani, and Yoga to tackle growing health-related issues.

"Maintaining our health and preventing illnesses is as important as treating diseases," the minister said.

Rao added that Dakshina Kannada has seven medical colleges, which may be the only region in the country with such a high concentration of medical colleges.

"India has the potential to become a global hub for human resources in healthcare," he said.

Facilities like Interventional Catheterization Lab, Level III ICU and OT complex with HEPA module, new building of Kanachur College of Pharmacy, and Kanachur Conference Drome, were inaugurated.

A biography on Haji U K Monu, founder chairman of Kanachur Islamic Education Trust, was also released on the occasion.