Karnataka plans to introduce UK-like healthcare system

In order to ensure universal access to quality healthcare, Karnataka is contemplating switching to a new system modelled on the lines of the taxpayer-funded National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom.

“Karnataka has tried devising a system to provide free healthcare services to all, but it has not worked out. If NHS can conduct a study comparing its system and the one we have in Karnataka, it could help us migrate to a universal healthcare system in the next 10 years,” said Karnataka Minister for Medical Education Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, who conferred with NHS representatives.

The minister also proposed a study for assessing the facilities available at government and private hospitals, besides looking at their funding models.

Responding to Patil, Dr Tony Veenith, of the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, acknowledged the feasibility of the proposal. “Yes, it’s absolutely possible. We can have a discussion about this. There is much we can learn and implement together,” said Dr Veenith, who also pointed to NHS’s association with several institutions from Karnataka such as the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research for clinical cancer trials.  

Varsity invited 

Meanwhile, Minister for Higher Education Dr M C Sudhakar invited the University of Wolverhampton to establish a campus in Bengaluru. Pointing out that Bengaluru already housed the Imperial College, London hub, he added, “Liverpool University has signed an agreement to set up a campus in the city. Wolverhampton’s entry will further strengthen our association.”

Student exchange programme

Bangalore University (BU), which has an agreement with the University of Wolverhampton, proposed a student exchange programme. BU Vice-Chancellor Dr Jayakara S M proposed an exchange of research scholars between the varsities.

“Our association with the university has progressed a lot in the past year. Now we want to have a collaboration for PhD programmes. If the University of Wolverhampton is ready, we can ask the Karnataka government to sponsor students from economically weaker sections,” said Jayakara.

(The reporter is visiting London at the invitation of the Karnataka State Higher Education Council)