Karnataka is fast emerging as Medical & Health Tourism / Wellness Tourism destination. This thread is for photographs, news, ... on healthcare, hospitals, health resorts, ... in Karnataka.

New policy will give greater importance to private players, focus on wellness
State to promote health tourism
Bangalore,DH News Service :

The Department of Tourism in Karnataka will soon be unveiling a new tourism policy for the State. The policy will be taken up in the Cabinet meeting before August 1, 2009.

“We have a new tourism policy that will be presented to the Government in the next couple of weeks. The main focus among other things will be on Wellness and Health Tourism in the State. Destinations such as Dharmasthala and others will be projected in Karnataka for propagating tourism in the new policy,” said Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, K Jyothiramalingam.

He was addressing mediapersons here on Monday about the India Association of Tour Operators (IATO) convention to be held in Bangalore from September 3 to 5, 2009
The Principal Secretary said greater importance will be given to private players in tourism. Under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Government of India, the Department of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani and Homeopathy) and the Board of Hospitals will be consulting with the respective State Governments to prepare guidelines for Wellness Tourism in the country.

Also on the agenda are talks between the Tourism and Transport Secretaries from eight Southern States and Union Territories to prepare a joint platform for promoting tourism in South India.

“We will be conducting a conference of Tourism Secretaries in Bangalore shortly before the beginning of the IATO convention to discuss on possibilities of a common platform for Southern States for tourism. The meeting will be followed by a Ministerial conference for discussing the possibilities of co-operation,” said Karnataka Tourism Director, Vishwanatha Reddy.

No growth

India Association of Tour Operators president, Vijay Thakur said although nationwide, the tourism sector did not see growth, there were signs to indicate a revival by the year-end. “Following the Mumbai terror attacks, there has been a fear among foreign tourists to come to India. While this was a temporary setback, owing to recession, there has been a downturn of almost 30 per cent in inbound traffic to the country,” said Thakur.
IOTA has said that in order to quell fears of terrorism, the apex body of tour operators had organised four to six road shows across 10 nations to present India as a safe destination.

“We are trying to market Bangalore as a BPO City to a Tourism destination,” said Vijay Thakur.

However, local tour operators said that till April this year there was a considerable demand for tourism in the State and it was only during the lean period since then till July that there has been a fall in revenues for the tour operators.

Addressing concerns of the Economic Slowdown, the association will be brainstorming at the convention to work out new packages and better tour operation.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/12253/state-promote-health-tourism.html

Apart from cardiology, the hospital also offers treatments in the area of Pediatrics, Neurology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Nephrology, Urology, Transplants, Nuclear Medicine, Medical Imaging and Radiology. It also houses a Blood bank and Laboratory. With the help of ISRO, Narayana Hrudayalaya has pioneered some of the aspects of Telemedicine.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayana_Hrudayalaya

Narayana Hrudalaya Institute of Cardiac Sciences
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/images/hrudayalaya.jpg

http://www.narayanahospitals.com/images/excellence1.jpg

Neurology
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/neuro1.gif

Nephrology
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/nephrology2.jpg

Solid Organ Transplant
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/solid_organ_transplant1.gif

Radiology
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/imaging1.gif

Bloodbank laboratory
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/bloodbank1.jpg

Urology
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/urology1.gif

Gynaecology
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/excellenceimages/reproductive.gif

Narayana Nethralaya, Super Speciality Eye Clinic
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/gallery/p1.jpg

Sparsh, Musculo Skeletal Care Hospital (for accidents, orthopaedics, plastic and maxillo facial surgery)
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/gallery/p5.jpg

Dental Clinic
http://www.narayanahospitals.com/gallery/p12.jpg

Source: http://www.narayanahospitals.com/international.html

http://www.narayanahospitals.com/gallery/dh.jpg

Source:http://www.narayanahospitals.com/international.html

Manipal University became India’s first University to have a Medical Simulation Centre with its recent acquisition of a variety of manikins (anatomical models of the human body, used in teaching art or medicine).

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4726/praj220609sim1.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim1.jpg/)

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/744/praj220609sim4.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim4.jpg/)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1032/praj220609sim5.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim5.jpg/)

More on Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=61599)

Kasturba Hospital gets Urology Laser System

Staff Correspondent

Manipal: D.V. Sadananda Gowda, MP, inaugurated the Urology Laser System at Kasturba Hospital here on Friday.

Pro-Chancellor of Manipal University H.S. Ballal, registrar G.K. Prabhu, dean of Kasturba Medical College P. Sripati Rao, Medical Superintendent of the hospital T.S. Raghu Raman were present on the occasion.

A press release issued by the hospital said it (the hospital) had launched a comprehensive laser programme for urology surgical treatment.

The new laser facilities will now be available for treatment of bladder tumours, strictures and kidney stones.

According to the Head of the Urology Department Joseph Thomas, the new facility will provide world class surgical options to the patients in this region.

The laser machine has minute endoscopes that make the treatment more comfortable experience for the patients.

The time taken for discharge will be reduced and patients can go home in a day or two as the surgery is done with very small endoscopes.
More options

With the acquisition of the latest Odyssey 30 Holmium Laser System, urologists had better and more options to safely treat stones in the bladder, ureter and kidney, as well as tumours and ureteral strictures.

The Urology Laser System is equipped with enough power to treat any renal stone —regardless of size, position or composition — and a green aiming beam to enhance visibility of the treatment site.

According to experts, there is an increase in the proportion of the population affected by kidney stones because of dehydration and diet.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/01/stories/2009080150690200.htm

MYSORE: Wellness or health tourism will soon get a boost, with the Department of Tourism set to come out with guidelines for its promotion.

Perhaps, it is for the first time that the department, which has pushed many concepts to promote tourism in the State, has set a definite plan to make Karnataka an important and preferred hub for wellness tourism, in view of the good feedback from foreign visitors.

Bangalore has the potential to be a leading international healthcare destination and a key centre for promotion of health tourism in the State, thanks to the presence of many world-class hospitals that provide qualitative and cost-effective treatment.

Perceiving medical tourism to be one of the fastest growing segments in the sector, the department has framed guidelines which will be released in a few days.

Disclosing this to The Hindu, Managing Director of the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation Vinay Luthra said Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Homoeopathy, Allopathy and other recognised forms of treatment would be promoted under health tourism, giving accreditation to institutions offering these services.

Mr. Luthra said the State Government had plans to accord accreditation to stakeholders in the health tourism sector in the categories of gold and silver.

“The guidelines will be different for each category. The stakeholders are supposed to apply for accreditation in compliance with the guidelines suiting their services. The accreditation will be on the lines of star status given to hotels. It depends on the services offered by the stakeholders,” he said.

The stakeholders should maintain certain standards and fulfil the guidelines to be part of wellness tourism. “People will get confidence once the institutions offering healthcare services are certified by the Government in accordance with the standards of services. It will be convenient for visitors to avail themselves of the services based on the gold or silver accreditation,” he said.

Bangalore has earned a name in health tourism in the foreign market. It is followed by cities such as Mysore, which has the Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre near Chamundi Hills, which attracts visitors from abroad.

“These factors will go a long way in promoting health tourism as the number of people arriving in India for medical treatment has been increasing every year on account of better quality and value for money they get,” industry sources say.

After Bangalore, Mysore has been identified as a key centre for health tourism promotion since Ayurveda and yoga are popular here.

Sources said that Ayurveda practitioners in Mysore and Nanjangud were known for preparation of medicines from herbs, and this expertise could be used to project the city’s popularity as a healthcare destination.

In fact, hundreds of foreigners are undergoing training in yoga from instructors in the city.

People from different parts of the world arrive here every year to gain knowledge of yoga to improve their health. The expertise in Ayurveda and yoga is also likely to be promoted in a big way.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/25/stories/2009082553630500.htm)

Manipal University became India’s first University to have a Medical Simulation Centre with its recent acquisition of a variety of manikins (anatomical models of the human body, used in teaching art or medicine).

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4726/praj220609sim1.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim1.jpg/)

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/744/praj220609sim4.jpg (http://img136.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim4.jpg/)

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1032/praj220609sim5.jpg (http://img139.imageshack.us/i/praj220609sim5.jpg/)

More on Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=61599)

Thanks

The one in suit is (middle photograph)my Professor. I did my MD Anaesthesiology at Manipal under Prof Ramkumar. He is a gem of a person.

AYUSH project in two districts on pilot basis

Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA: To promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) medicinal systems and popularise them, the State AYUSH Department has prepared a project.

The proposed project is likely to be implemented in two districts on an experimental basis. The Union Government may provide a grant of Rs. 25 crore for the implementation of the project.

Talking to presspersons here on Friday, Director of AYUSH Department Srikantaiah said that the intention of the project was to help people of the Malnad region cure various diseases by preparing medicines from native medicinal plants available in the rural areas. It was also to promote AYUSH healthcare systems, he added.

Mr. Srikantaiah said that a proposal was sent to the Union Government requesting Rs. 75 crore to implement the project in five districts on a pilot basis. However, the Union Government promised to release Rs. 25 crore for the project in two districts, he said.

He said that experts in the field of AYUSH would be asked to train and provide information to members of Stree Shakti Groups (SSGs) based in villages and towns. Then, arrangements would be made to give treatment to rural people under AYUSH system, he said.

Mr. Srikantaiah said that as an initial step, appointment of ayurveda doctors and pharmacists was under way. One each would be posted in 1,800 primary health centres (PHCs) in the State. Ayurveda doctors had been appointed in 450 PHCs in the State, he said and added that the other PHCs would get ayurveda doctors within a couple of years.

He said that 57 per cent of people in Kerala were using the AYUSH system and the percentage in Karnataka was less in comparison.

Hence, the AYUSH Department was working out various programmes to popularise this system, he said.

He said that homoeopathy medicines had become effective in controlling A(H1N1) virus.

source (http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/03/stories/2009100352570300.htm)

Not long ago, it was a truism that the US had the world’s finest healthcare system. Patients from all parts of the world who could afford it made a beeline for hospitals there. Today, Americans generally agree that their healthcare system is grossly expensive, ineffective — even unjust. In fact, Americans have created a healthcare system that leaves millions of citizens out in the cold.

Among the world’s developed nations, the US stands at or near the bottom in most important rankings of access to and quality of medical care. In 2000, when a Harvard Medical School professor working at the WHO developed a complicated formula to rate the quality and fairness of national health care systems around the world, the richest nation on earth ranked 37th, just behind Dominica and Costa Rica, and just ahead of Slovenia and Cuba.

The one area where the US unquestionably leads the world is in spending. As per OECD Health at a Glance, 2007 health expenditure as a percentage of GDP, 2005, the US spends 15.3; Switzerland 11.6; France 11.1; Germany 10.7; Canada 9.8; Sweden 9.1; UK 8.3; Japan 8.0; Mexico 6.4; Taiwan 6.2. Even countries with considerably older populations than the US, with more need for medical attention, spend much less. Japan has the oldest population in the world. And yet Japan spends about $3,000 per person on healthcare each year compared to $7,000 per person in the US.

Americans shell out big bucks without getting what they pay for. J R Reid in a recently published book The Healing of America makes this observation: “Surveys show that Americans who see a doctor tend to be less satisfied with their treatment than Britons, Italians, Germans, Canadians, or the Japanese — even though we pay the doctor much more than they do.”

India has a healthcare model to offer the world. It is based on public-private-partnership: government the insurance-provider; private hospitals the healthcare-provider. It leverages number and volume, thereby reducing the cost of treatment.

The first part of the model — insurance and healthcare — has been in operation the last few years at Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) in Bangalore. In collaboration with the Karnataka government the hospital started the Yeshasvini scheme — a comprehensive health insurance scheme, at Rs 10 per month, for the poor farmers of the state. It covered open-heart surgery.

The man behind it is Dr Devi Shetty, chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya. His idea of health city is founded on a sound business model. A multi-speciality hospital can mean better utilisation of resources; the same equipment can be exploited for different specialities, thereby driving down the cost relentlessly.

Within a few years of setting up NH with world-class facilities in cardiac care, he has set up multiple hospitals with a total strength of 3,000 beds, offering facilities like neurosurgery, orthopaedics, gastroenterology and transplant surgery, ophthalmology and nephrology. Today, there is a cluster of hospitals around NH in Narayana Health City — a 350-bed Narayana Nethralaya for ophthalmology, a 250-bed Sparsh Hospital for orthopaedics, Thrombosis Research Institute for research and study, and the 1,500-bed Narayana Multi-Speciality Hospital and Cancer Research Centre for all other disciplines. Quality healthcare for the poor is no more a mirage, as the universally accepted algorithm would have us believe.

“India will become the first country to dissociate healthcare from affluence,” Shetty says. But for this the government will have to become an insurance-provider rather than a healthcare-provider. Governments will realise that it is better to offer health insurance than manage hospitals. But this will only happen through big hospitals catering to big numbers at a very low price.

Healthcare, unlike other services, is a high-octane beast. Drugs and disposables take up 40 per cent of the revenue generated. The other fixed costs are salary and overheads. However, volume equips one with power to source disposables. The Wal-Mart model is the one to follow in order to drive cost down. India’s population — patients and skilled human potential — provides a unique competitive advantage. The vast untapped pool of patients not in the treatment window can be leveraged for economy of scale. This is where the government can step in — as health insurance provider.

All that it needs to do is encourage creation of large private hospitals that can leverage numbers and provide quality healthcare aided by government-sponsored health insurance cover. The mass insurance will drive premiums down. More-less duality is the mantra. More people insured means lower premiums; more patients means more honing of skills; more skills mean less time spent on procedures; less time spent means less labour cost/overhead; more patients means more exploitation of available facilities; more patients mean more use of disposables and volume discount aiding less cost of consumables; less labour/material and more exploitation of fixed assets mean less overall expenses; lower overall expense mean lower insurance payment; which translates into lower premiums, and that implies less government liability.

NH follows another ingenious technique to whittle costs. Given the high patient footfall, the number of tests is high. So NH has ‘in-sourced’ equipment by persuading manufacturers/suppliers to merely ‘park’ their machines for use by the hospital and earn their revenue from selling chemical reagents and disposables for the tests and treatment. NH saves on investment while the manufacturers/suppliers get more than their share of profit by selling disposables/consumables. And the more the merrier: NH for driving the cost down and the supplier for its earnings and profit.

Is the model replicable? Perhaps yes. Because there is a silver lining: the magic of markets. Which is why a successful NH model has the potential to push market forces to drive healthcare costs down by embracing the populace at the bottom of the pyramid — and decoupling quality healthcare from money and bridging the gaps among societal strata.


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=A+healthcare+model+worth+emulating&artid=8aPa/dqPq5E=&SectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&MainSectionID=XVSZ2Fy6Gzo=&SectionName=m3GntEw72ik=)

Karnataka govt permits Narayana Nethralaya to set up first private lab in state to test H1N1 virus (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=52279&sectionid=)

BANGALORE: After three decades of lobbying, the private health sector had to finally give in. The final notification of Karnataka Private Medical Establishment(KPME) Rules, 2009, has been approved by the ministry and has been gazetted in the first week of October. With this notification, now hospitals have to register and maintain the standards as outlined in the notification.

The rules are aimed at regulating private medical establishments, including clinics, diagnostic centres and alternative medicine centres to ensure that people get quality healthcare.

The new rules stipulate minimum standards in terms of physical infrastructure, technical know-how and staff qualification to set up a private healthcare institution.

More importantly, the rules will make it mandatory for private hospitals to display the rate charts.

The rule covers all forms of medical practices __ from allopathy, ayurveda, unani to homeopathy.

The efforts to regulate private medical establishments in the state began in 1976. Health and family welfare deputy director H C Ramesh said: "Due to lot of pressure from the private medical establishments, regulation was delayed for more than three decades. Now, with the gazette notification of the rules, the Act will be implemented in the state.''

Though there is a list of Karnataka Medical Council-registered doctors, the actual numbers are not known. This was evident during the recent chikungunya and H1N1 flu outbreak __ lack of list of private medical practitioners affected the disease-prevention programme.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

For registration which is mandatory, all private medical establishments __ from clinics to hospitals __ should ensure clean and hygienic surroundings, proper lighting, ventilation, adequate/hygienic sanitation facility, proper maintenance of medical records, standard bio-medical waste disposal system, accessibility to attending doctors and qualified staff appointed in proportion to number of patients treated in a day.

REGISTRATION

While the registration fee under allopathy for medical clinics is Rs 1,000, a nursing home with more than 2,000 beds has to pay registration fee of Rs 2 lakh. There is concession in fee for charitable and non-profit hospitals.

For alternative Indian system of medicine, it is Rs 500 for clinic and dispensary, Rs 2,000 for hospital with 20 beds and more and Rs 10,000 for diagnostic centres with advanced facilities.

The registration is valid for five years. Hospitals have to be registerd within 90 days from the date of the Act coming into force.

At the district level, a regulatory committee is formed. It comprises deputy commissioner, district health officer and an Indian Medical Association member.

STANDARDS

From comfortable seating arrangements for patients in reception to examination room having minimum area of 125 sq ft and consultation chambers equipped with basic investigation facilities, standards have been set for the hospitals.

"There are several hospitals functioning without basic infrastructure and medical equipment and there are several hospitals functioning without qualified staff. So, we have listed mandatory basic equipment and required qualified hospital staff. Private medical establishments have to display charges to all the services rendered," said health and family welfare deputy director H C Ramesh.

QUOTE HANGER

We are glad to have KPME rules as this will check quacks. With registration made mandatory, we will get to known as to how many private medical establishments are there in the state. __ Karnataka private hospitals and nursing Home Association vice president P S Premnath

There is need for regulation as the environment of accredited healthcare promises patient safety. And the rules need to facilitate reform in the healthcare sector and should be covered by good governance for efficient implementation. __ Wockhardt Hospitals Group CEO Vishal Bali

It is a welcome move as the rules will bring in quality, standard and accountability in healthcare. Along with patient safety, it will stop mushrooming of private hospitals without proper infrastructure and staff. It will assure quality players in healthcare sector. __ Manipal Hospital COO and Medical Director Dr S C Nagendra Swamy.


Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Regulating-private-healthcare-Hospitals-Clinics-Must-Register-Follow-Standards/articleshow/5161243.cms)

* It is meant to cover 5 crore people in slums
* Officials say project delayed owing to change of guard at the Union Health Ministry
* Main component of the Rs. 8,000-crore project is health insurance for the urban poor


Read more on The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/27/stories/2009102759290300.htm)

Shot in the arm for Homeopathy
Bangalore: Nov 14, DH News Service

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Saturday announced that homeopathy dispensaries will be set up in every taluk shortly.

Speaking at the 16th All India Homeopathic Scientific Seminar - 2009, he extended his support to help develop homeopathy as a discipline and asked for a report from the Knowledge Commission on this regard.

Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda called upon homeopathy doctors to take treatment to the doorstep of poor patients through mobile units. Elaborating on the benefits of homeopathy, President of the Homeopathic Medical Association of India, Dr S P S Bakshi said: “Homeopathy is the best medicine to treat chronic diseases.”

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/35927/shot-arm-homeopathy.html

Bijapur: Chairman of the Karnataka State Forest Industries Corporation Shankargouda Patil has said that Ayur (Ayurveda) parks will be set up in Belgaum and Bangalore in association with private organisations.

Speaking to presspersons here on Tuesday, Mr. Patil said that these parks would concentrate on preserving and developing medicinal plants, researching medicinal plants and producing medicines. The matter would be discussed with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and plans would be drawn up to set up these parks in three months.


The corporation had plans to grow medicinal plants on 2,000 hectares of land in the State.

In dry areas such as Bijapur the corporation would encourage farmers to take up neem plantation, he said.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/18/stories/2009111853110300.htm)

Narayana Nethralaya Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Bangalore which has been involved in pediatric community eye outreach programs for over 25 years has helped evolve a unique tele-medicine software which allows screening of rural and semi-urban infants for a potentially blinding condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity along with other common conditions including ocular cancers.

The institute has helped provide the access of this software on the iPhone. The development is said to have large consequences in reducing the blindness burden of the country.

“Retinopathy of prematurity is the leading cause of preventable infant blindness worldwide. In India, over 8% of 27mn births each year are at risk of this potentially blinding condition. Roughly if 100 ‘at-risk’ infants are screened, 15-20% may require treatment that can prevent blindness.

This requires a fast and efficient system of screening infants especially in the peripheral rural areas where expertise is lacking”, said Dr Anand Vinekar, Project Co-Ordinator & Pediatric Retinal Surgeon, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore. “Since we began 2 years ago in 7 districts of Karnataka, we have successfully treated over 150 infants and screened over 1500, but we used the ‘store and forward’ technology that was slow and did not solve security and storage issues.” Dr Vinekar remarked.

“With the experience of over 56,000 images of infant retinas in our database, we required a dedicated web-based software with progressive viewing to speedily allow access to our experts at the base hospital. This quest lead to the development of this new technology” said Dr Bhujang Shetty, Chairman of Narayana Nethralaya.

"There isn’t anything more rewarding than seeing the anxious look of a mother with a new born at risk of blindness and giving her reassurance that the best care is only a click away on a doctors iPhone" said Sham Banerji, CEO of i2iTeleSolutions, the collaborating software partner. "The i2i team is proud that our CARE TeleOphthalmology software connects ROP specialists to pre mature infants in the farthest corners of India”, said Banerji.

The i2i Teleopthalmology Application running on Apple’s iphone ushers in a new era of telemedicine letting doctors see amazingly clear images of the retina and report findings anywhere, anytime, realtime. The new pilot will run for 36 months at which time we expect TeleROP to be deployed on a much broader scale across the country and soon in other countries linking them in this unique way.


Source: IndiaInfoline (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/News.aspx?NewsId=15038)

Toward providing quality Healthcare

* Cashless tertiary facility healthcare for 16 lakh BPL families of five districts initially
* Five members of a family to be covered
* Upper limit of treatment is 1.5 lakhs
* 300 medical procedures identified
* list of empanelled hospitals to be published soon

Read more on The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/24/stories/2009112453550400.htm).

Read post #12 also.

* Karnataka has been able to maintain high levels of treatment adherence
* Karnataka is the only State to have a government ART centre in every district
* The high levels of HIV-TB co-infection in north Karnataka are a cause for concern

Bangalore: Karnataka is one of the States in India with a high HIV prevalence, with an estimated 2.75 lakh people currently living with the virus. But there is heartening news on the eve of World AIDS Day: targeted prevention interventions have played a significant role in controlling the spread of the virus and mitigating its impact.

Studies

A mathematical modelling projection based on studies done in two districts by the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT), established by the Karnataka State AIDS Prevention Society (KSAPS) and University of Manitoba (UM), shows that the situation would have been far worse but for the interventions that have been scaled up effectively since 2003.

HIV sentinel surveillance among ante-natal clinic (ANC) populations in 27 districts over the years shows that the HIV prevalence has come down from 1.6 per cent in 2003 to 0.86 in 2007-08.

In sheer numbers, this reduction in prevalence would reduce the number of HIV-positive newborns by over 2,000 every year. “This is much greater than the most optimistic estimates from Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV (PPTCT) programmes,” says Dr. Stephen Moses, Project Director of the Sankalp/Corridors Project (Avahan India-AIDS initiative) implemented by the KHPT. Karnataka is the only State to have a government Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centre in every district.

Statistics show that Karnataka has been able to maintain high levels of treatment adherence. “As a result of good coordination at the district level, our ‘lost to follow up’ among patients on ART is about 3.2 per cent, while the national average is around 7 per cent,” says Dr. Reynold Washington, in-charge Project Director of the Samastha-USAID project in Karnataka.

However, a particular point of concern is the situation in north Karnataka districts, with high levels of HIV-TB co-infection. Districts in the region also show a higher HIV prevalence among the rural population.

The prevalence of HIV in Bagalkot is 2.38 per cent in urban population and 3.59 per cent in rural areas (2003). In contrast, in Mysore, it is 0.94 per cent (urban) and 0.71 per cent (rural).


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/30/stories/2009113050360100.htm)

‘HIV among Karnataka women down 50 pc’ (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/38637/hiv-among-karnataka-women-down.html)

8 more ESI hospitals proposed in state
Bangalore, Dec 12, DHNS:

The State Government has proposed to set up 100 ESI dispensaries and eight ESI hospitals in the State, announced Labour Minister B N Bache Gowda here on Saturday.


At the 4th annual ESI Medical Conference here, he said an ESI hospital worth Rs 185 crore will also be set up at Peenya, along with acquiring a five acre land at the cost of Rs 25 crore to build a 100-bedded hospital in Bommasandra.

"A 500 bedded ESI hospital in Gulbarga will also be set up at a cost of about Rs 600 to 700 crore. This hospital will be second largest hospital in the country," he said. All the three hospitals will be part of the eight hospitals that will come up in the state.

Gowda also stressed on making the ESI dispensaries 24x7. "At present, even the health department can't operate 24x7 dispensaries. However, I will try to see that ESI hospitals operate 24 hours a day and seven days a week," he said.

ESI medical officers’ demands for a salary hike, filling up of vacant posts of doctors and upgradation of ESI hospitals came to the fore at the Conference, with the Karnataka Government ESI Medical Officers' Association (KGEMO) submitting a 13 point memorandum to Labour Minister B N Bache Gowda.

Dr Albert David, the Association's general secretary, said that the salary of doctors in CGHS, ESI Corporation, Union and state public undertakings and Directorate of Medical Education was much higher than what ESI doctors received.

He said of the sanctioned 547 Insurance Medical Officer's posts, 180 were vacant. In fact, they initiated contract basis appointment, only four doctors reported for duty. The Association also highlighted how two machines in the dialysis unit at ESI Hospital, Indiranagar, were far from adequate.

The hospital received 100 dialysis patients and an equal number of kidney transplant patients and 200 chronic renal failure patients. The hospital received 20 nephrology patients every day. "At least five more dialysis machines and a CT scan unit in Radiology Department at this hospital," Dr David said.


http://www.deccanherald.com/content/41045/8-more-esi-hospitals-proposed.html

Multi-purpose smart cards will be distributed to labourers

Rs 22 crore released for health insurance scheme in DK
Mangalore: Dec 20, DH News Service

District-in-Charge Minister J Krishna Palemar said that a total of Rs 22 crore including state’s contribution of Rs 5.5 crore has already been released for the implementation of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), a health insurance scheme for the labourers in an unorganised sector, in the district.

District In-charge Minister J Krishna Palemar addressing field key officers at a workshop on Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Mangalore on Sunday.Addressing after inaugurating a district-level workshop organised for field key officers of RSBY at the Deputy Commissioner’s Officer here on Sunday, Minister said that the field officers should strive to implement the scheme successfully in the district.

Those beneficiaries, who possess the cards of Yashaswini Scheme of the state government can also avail the benefits of RSBY. Multi-purpose smart cards will be distributed to labourers in the unorganised sectors including construction workers under the scheme, he added.

Deputy Commissioner V Ponnuraj said that the scheme is being implemented only in rural areas of five districts including Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Bangalore Rural, Belgaum and Mysore. Beneficiaries in urban areas will be covered under the scheme in the next phase, he added.

The scheme will enable beneficiaries to have access to health facilities in private and government hospitals, DC said adding that the scheme has already been implemented successfully in Kerala state.

Mangalore South MLA N Yogish Bhat said that the government hospitals in the state should be upgraded for the successful implementation of the scheme.

Super speciality facilities should be introduced in all government hospitals. Initiative will be taken to hold discussion with corporate organisations with regard to the upgradation of government hospitals.

Corporate institutions can join hands to upgrade government hospitals utilising the benefits of income tax exemption, he added.

Only 42,000 beneficiaries

Though there are 1.10 lakh BPL families in the district, who are deserved to be the beneficiaries under RSBY, currently the scheme benefits have been extended to only 42,000 families. Following this, majority of BPL families in the district are being deprived of their privileges.

DC Ponnuraj informed that the district administration had conducted survey only in rural areas in 2007 and accordingly a list of 42,000 BPL families was sent to the centre.
Though the number of BPL families increased to 1,10,000 in the survey conducted in 2008, the Centre was not ready to accept the new list, he said adding that the list of 2007 was approved by the central government for the implementation of the RSBY scheme.

Reacting to the lacunae, Minister Palemar said that the government will make efforts to include all beneficiaries under the scheme. State will write to the centre include all BPL families in rural and urban areas in the beneficiaries list under the RSBY, he added.



http://www.deccanherald.com/content/42344/rs-22-crore-released-health.html

Europe's Swiss Smile plans dental clinics in India

The chain also eyes the large opportunities in dental tourism, where people from other countries travel to India to get low-cost dental treatments.

Our Bureau

Bangalore, Dec. 20

Now, overseas dental clinics are turning towards India. Europe's leading dentistry brand, Swiss Smile, has chosen India for its foreign foray.

Starting with Bangalore in January 2010, it plans to start ten clinics across A-cities to offer multiple health and beauty services for teeth under one roof. Two clinics are to be opened in Bangalore with an investment of around Rs 15 crore, Swiss Smile Dental Clinics India said in a release.

According to Dr Sathya Kallur, CEO and Director of Clinical Operations, Swiss Smile Dental Clinics India, the national dental care market is growing. The chain also eyes the large opportunities in dental tourism, where people from other countries travel to India to get low-cost dental treatments.

Dr Kallur said dental tourism forms ten per cent of the total medical tourism industry in the country, which is projected to grow at 30 per cent a year, into a Rs 9,500-crore industry by 2015.

“In India, any dental service is 60-70 per cent cheaper than in Europe or the US. We aim to contribute to medical tourism in India by offering quality services at reasonable prices,” he said.

The first Bangalore clinic will be a 5,000-sft facility with eight internationally trained specialists in aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, emergency treatments and children's dentistry.

Expansion plans

Over the next three years, SS India plans expand to Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Pune with a planned investment of Rs 150 crore.

Swiss Smile India is a 50:50 venture between Swiss Smile Holdings and local investment firm Global Tech Park.

Mr Clifford Zur Nieden, a board member of Swiss Smile Holdings, said, “The dental segment is one of the most attractive segments of the health care industry with an estimated market size of about $18.8 billion in 2008. The market is dominated by the US, Europe and Japan.”

In India, he said an increasingly aging population, awareness of oral health and aesthetics and rising middle-class salaries were driving the dental care market. However, according to Mr Zur Nieden, there is a big demand-supply gap for organised, world-class dental care. “We aim to bridge this gap.”

SS Holdings runs these clinics in Zurich, St. Moritz and London. Global Tech Park has invested in companies such ase EDRC Technologies and Hands Free Networks. Its Chairman and Managing Director, Mr Satish, is also the CMD of Swiss Smile India.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122151180400.htm

Manipal: Hombelaku - a beacon of light


By Team Mangalorean

Manipal January 2, 2010: The Manipal University is now a conglomerate of 264 courses in all streams, medical, para medical, engineering, management, general education and various other allied sciences. On the 7th of January 2010 a new institution will join the group it is called 'Hombelaku' - Psychiatric Rehabilitation Centre, unit of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal which will be inaugurated at 4.30 pm by Dr. G. Shankar, Philanthropist, in the presence of Dr.Ramdas Pai the Chancellor of Manipal University.

This was announced here today by the Registrar Dr. G.K. Prabhu in a press conference. He said this centre will accommodate 34 persons suffering from chronic and debilitating mental illnesses.

The centre will provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care for these persons involving inputs from psychiatrists, psychiatric social worker, clinical psychologist, psychiatric nurses, occupational therapist and vocational trainers. The aim is to reduce the disability of these persons and try to improve their functional ability. The vocational activities of these persons will be augmented in the centre in a phased manner, Prabhu said. This centre has been built with funds raised by the Department of Psychiatry, donations from philanthropists, public concert donations and a matching grant from the Manipal University which has also given land and all infrastructural facilities, he added.

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Dr Prabhu said that it will be the endeavour of Hombelaku to provide high quality care to its clients with an emphasis on constant innovation and upgradation of therapeutic inputs.

He said with every passing year, Manipal University has been going from strength to strength. New courses, more scholarships and freeships , additional infrastructures and facilities and tie-ups with many new foreign universities, leading to a better teaching and learning atmosphere on the campus.

Since establishing Kasturba Medical College in 1953, nineteen other institutions have been set up, and the excellence in higher education that began in Manipal 56 years ago, continues even today with a fresh look each year. Ten new courses have been added taking the total number of courses in the University to 264.

With the increasing burden of mental illnesses on society as a whole, there has been greater need to improve the functioning of the chronically mentally ill individuals. Mental illnesses tend to have lasting impacts on the social, vocational and cognitive functioning of individuals.

Medications alone may help ameliorate some of the more obvious signs of chronic psychiatric disorders but have limited impact as far as the more disabling deficit symptoms are concerned. It is therefore necessary to have a multi pronged strategy targeting all these domains. Rehabilitation focuses on helping individuals acquire various skills, problem solving strategies apart from a variety of social, educational and occupational supports.

Dr Prabhu said that a several patients lack access to a financially viable and effective rehabilitation program leading to a loss of productive years and adding to family burden. For reasons ranging from lack of time to lack of resources, psychiatrists often find themselves helpless in the face of chronic psychiatric disability. These observations led to the idea of setting up a rehabilitation centre for the chronically ill psychiatric patients. The Department of psychiatry, KMC, Manipal has been working towards this for some time now, he said.



http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=162862

BANGALORE: The Health Department is set to introduce its Home Based Neonatal Child Care (HBNCC) project in May.

The project, which seeks to improve comprehensive child health and prevent infant deaths, will initially be launched in seven districts: Gulbarga, Raichur, Koppal, Chamrajpet, Bagalkot, Bidar and Bijapur.

According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2008, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Karnataka is 45 for every 1,000 live births.

The SRS data also reveals that two-thirds of the deaths occur in the first week of life—and twothirds of these occur within the first two days of life—owing to varied causes.

Most of these problems occur due to inadequate care during the period right before birth and during labour.

On the lines of the Home Based Neonatal Child Care (HBNCC) model of Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra which was started by a n NGO- (Society for Education Action and Research in Community Health) SEARCH, the state health department seeks to bring down the IMR to 25 per cent this year.

Under this scheme, Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers will visit homes at the time of delivery and guide the mother and caretaker.

A total of 32 master trainers, two each from 16 taluks would be visiting Gadchiroli district in Maharastara from April. They will also train other health workers.

The state health department plans to train as many as 3,623 ASHA workers in five stages.

“Death of a new born in the first week contributes to a major share in IMR in the state. After the launch in the seven districts known for high IMR and MMR, the project would be further extended,’’ said S Selva Kumar, Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission.

``The department has observed that earlier declines in IMR have been largely due to reduction in post-neonatal mortality. Therefore, the focus has shifted to neonatal care’’ said Dr Dhanya Kumar, Deputy director, Child Health, Health and Family Welfare department.


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=%E2%80%98Neonatal+care+project+to+prevent+infant+deaths%E2%80%99&artid=4HQZlivoyeg=&SectionID=Qz/kHVp9tEs=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=UOaHCPTTmuP3XGzZRCAUTQ==&SEO=)

K R Hospital to have Jayadeva unit

TNN, 9 January 2010, 10:51pm IST


MYSORE: The city will have a unit of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology at Krishna Rajendra Hospital by March.

The unit will be a boon for Mysoreans. With the K R Hospital lacking the essentials for cardiac treatment, the patients were referred to Jayadeva Hospital in Bangalore for angiogram, angioplasty, balloon operation and other surgeries. The hospital's lone cardiologist was attending to over 70 out-patients daily. Every day, over five cardiac patients are admitted to the hospital, claims KRH cardiologist Dr Sadananda.

The poor patients were having tough time as they couldn't afford treatment at private hospitals. The unit will be set up in the ground floor in the in-patient block. The works, which are underway, are likely to be completed by March. The estimate to set up the unit is Rs 5 crore.

Speaking to Sunday Times of India, KRH medical superintendent Dr Geetha Avadani said once the unit will benefit many patients as investigations like angiogram will be conducted here.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/K-R-Hospital-to-have-Jayadeva-unit/articleshow/5428748.cms

* Talks are going on with a few institutions in this regard, says vet varsity Vice-Chancellor

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Inquisitive: A child looking at the exhibits on display at the National Congress for Canine Practice in Bangalore on Thursday.

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Veterinary, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Sciences University is planning to establish a hi-tech animal hospital, particularly to cater to pets, at Hebbal here.


Read more on The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/22/stories/2010012257440400.htm).

“This is a breakthrough development in medical field compared to conventional pacemakers, which if exposed to MRI scans pose fatal complications. When exposed to MRI scan, tips of the pacemaker’s leads can get heated up to 80°C due to radio waves and cause burns in the heart. In addition, the MRI scan can inhibit the function of device and induce rapid heart beat or even device failure leading to irreversible damage to the patient, he added.


Read more on PHARMABIZ.com (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=53671&sectionid=)

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate the Centre of excellence for liver and pancreatic disorders and multi-organ transplantation unit and liver ICU at BGS hospital on January 29.

It will facilitate better care and treatment for people requiring liver as well as multi-organ transplantation.

"We already have a renal programme in place. Hence, we thought of starting liver and pancreas transplant programme.

The team will be headed by world renowned liver transplant surgeon Dr Prof Mohammed Rela," said Dr K Ravindranath, Chairman and MD of Global Hospitals Group.

Nearly 200 people underwent liver transplant in the country last year. Unfortunately, many patients died due to lack of donors.

There is a severe shortage of cadaver donors. Awareness about organ donation is poor among people in the State when compared to the awareness level in Chennai and Hyderabad, he added.

Some of the common causes for liver failure were Hepatitides B and C, alcoholic liver disease and liver cancer associated with chronic liver diseases.

Interestingly, fatty liver diseases caused due to obesity was an emerging cause of liver failure, pointed Dr Ravindranath.

"The fast food culture, diabetes, lack of physical exercise all contributed to this trend. Moreover, it is a common phenomenon among women. Around 10 per cent of obese women are prone to liver problem," he said.

The 18-bedded liver ICU will have four senior doctors along with 18 nurses at any given point in time, he added.


Source: DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/49247/yeddyurappa-inaugurate-liver-icu-tomorrow.html)

Super speciality heart care facility in Shimoga

TNN, 28 January 2010, 11:12pm IST

SHIMOGA: Nanjappa Trust of Shimoga, which has been providing medical facilities with its well managed 250-bed hospital from past 22 years, has taken up a new initiative -- to launch a heart health care unit in the city.

Benakappa, founder of Nanjappa Trust, said that considering the lack of treatment facility in the region for patients suffering from various heart-related ailments, the Trust has undertaken this venture at a cost of Rs 25 crores.

He added that the aim of the project was to make available, affordable one-stop state-of-the-art healthcare facilities to the rural poor, along with the residents of the region.

Added Dr Narendra, head of cardiology department, "The institute, built on 4 acre plot at Sagar Road, would address urgent needs of those in need heart care facilities. The institute will be a boon for the people of the region."

Dr Narendra said that a dedicated team of cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and cardiothoracic anaesthetists, along with 350 trained nursing.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Super-speciality-heart-care-facility-in-Shimoga/articleshow/5510856.cms

Arogyashree likely to be extended to entire State

Gulbarga, Feb 1, DHNS:Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has hinted at extending government’s most ambitious health initiative for below poverty line families- the Vajpayee Arogyshree Scheme - to the entire State most probably from the ensuing financial year.

Speaking after inaugurating the first ever massive health check-up and treatment camp for the BPL families of Gulbarga and Yadgir districts at the sprawling Nutan Vidyalaya Grounds here on Monday, he said the health scheme was “the most revolutionary scheme initiated by any government so far in the country.”

Originally Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Yojane before it was named after the former Prime Minister, covers free medical treatment for about 400 types of diseases and disorders including surgical operations in a network of super speciality hospital for five members of a BPL family up to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh in a year free of cost. It is available for 14.93 lakh BPL families. “After Arogya Kavacha, the ambulance service scheme Vajpayee Arogyashree is the major health initiative of my government,” Yeddyurappa declared.

In the first phase, the scheme has been launched in Gulbarga division comprising six districts - Gulbarga, Bidar, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal and Bellary. The Government pays an annual premium of Rs 300 per BPL family to the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, the implementing agency. The scheme would require an estimated Rs 900 cr and it is likely to get the budgetary support in the year 2010-11.

Health Minister B Sreeramulu said the Arogya Kavacha had so far received 98 lakh calls and saved 2.95 lakh lives. The scheme envisages dialling number 108 to get free ambulance service within 20 minutes at the doorsteps of the caller. He said 517 ambulances have been launched all over the State.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/50212/arogyashree-likely-extended-entire-state.html)

Fantastic

More ambulances to hit the roads

TNN, 9 February 2010, 10:18pm IST


A relaxation in population norms that govern deployment of `Dial 108' ambulance service could see and additional 517 such ambulances hit the roads of the state in the next fiscal.

At present, the state is providing one `Dial 108' ambulance for every 1 lakh population and already has 408 out of 517 such ambulances working all across Karnataka. The remaining 109 `Dial 108' ambulances would be on the roads by end of next month.

Minister B Sriramulu said the government is seriously considering making available one such ambulance for every 50,000 population in the state. "This would effectively mean that the state would have an additional 517 such ambulances responding to distress calls of people," he said. These ambulances at present cater to needs of people roughly within a 30 km radius, Sriramulu said.

Pointing to the efficacy of this `Dial 108' project, Sriramulu said the call centre manning the 108 calls in Karnataka have so far received more than 1.1-crore calls from the date of its launch and has succeeded in saving 3.1 lakh lives. Around 41% of the calls received were to seek assistance to shift expectant mothers to hospitals. Sriramulu clarified that the MoU with promoters of the project does not permit them to shift bodies.

MORE HELP TO BPL FAMILIES

The Vajpayee Arogya Shree scheme which enables BPL families to get state-of-the-art treatment for over 400 diseases, and now operational in five districts of North Karnataka would shortly be extended to entire Karnataka. This scheme is presently aiding nearly 16 lakh BPL families in these five districts, he said adding that the scheme would end up providing health cover to around 85 lakh BPL families when extended to entire state.

"We have sought Rs 300 crore from the CM for this purpose and he has assured to provide it," Sriramulu said.

AMENDMENT TO C and R RULES

In an endeavour to attract the best of super-speciality talent to government hospitals, Sriramulu said the government would amend the cadre and recruitment rules governing their appointment. "We received poor response from the super-specialists when we offered them a salary of Rs 50,000," he said. Amending the C and R rules will enable the state government to directly recruit such specialists and also suitably compensate them.


TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/More-ambulances-to-hit-the-roads/articleshow/5553531.cms)

Sriramulu promises more facilities for DK (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=168459)

The Karnataka government has made an allocation of Rs. 2,673 crore for the plan and non-plan expenditure of the Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education in the state for the the financial year 2010-11.

State chief minister B. S. Yeddyurappa, in his state budget 2010 presentation has increased the allocation towards healthcare by Rs. 384 crore which is a 31 per cent increase in plan support for the sector.

Going by the success of the Arogya Kavacha Scheme the state government in Gulbarga, has announced the Vajpayee Arogya Scheme with an allocation of Rs. 40 crore for below-the- poverty line(BPL) patients. Free medical aid will be provided to 400 small and medium families in each district.

Of the present 2,193 primary health centres in the state, 975 PHCs will be offering round- the-clock services.

In rural areas for every 25,000 population one primary health centre will be started. For this the government will hire 5021 para medical staff at various levels. These centres will provide free delivery services to expectant women. The government will offer financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 to these women as a special incentive.

The 142 hospitals at the taluk level will be modernized into primary referral hospitals for which Rs. 100 crore is set aside. From the year 2010-11 a scheme will be formulated to provide free medical checkup for all girl children registered under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme; free medical treatment will also be provided.

On the Medical Education front, the state government has made Rs 20 crore for increasing admission capacity of selected medical colleges. A provision of Rs. 10 crore is allocated for establishing a super specialty hospital at the Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), Bellary with private participation. An amount of Rs. 20 crore will be provided for completing the construction work of Shimoga Medical College.

To provide cardiac treatment under the Hrudaya Sanjivini scheme and kidney treatment to poor people, a provision of Rs.10 crore is being made. Further, Rs.5 crore is being provided to establish cancer treatment facilities at Hubli by establishing a branch of Kidwai Institute of Oncology.

The government has also proposed to make available 15 acres of land and to give a grant of Rs. 5 crore to the Mata Amrutamayi Institution for establishing a super speciality hospital in Kengeri, Bangalore.

On the Ayush care front, the state government has announced Rs.5 crore will be given for upgrading the Government Ayurveda hospitals in Bangalore, Mysore and Bellary. The state will have a first of its kind Indian Institute for Ayush Healthcare with support from Government of India where the state will chip in Rs. 10 crore.


PHARMABIZ.com (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=54388&sectionid=)

The transplantation centre boasts of state-of-the-art infrastructure, dedicated operation theatres and liver intensive care unit and liver dialysis unit.

http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/20100317.jpg
Liver Intensive Care Unit at BGS Global Hospitals

BGS Global Hospitals, Bangaluru launched their centre for liver and pancreatic disorders and multi-organ transplantation. The Global Hospitals Group also announced the largest comprehensive liver transplantation programme for those suffering from end-stage liver disease. The centre was inaugurated by Minister for Medical Education, Dr Ramachandra Gowda.


Read more on Express Health (http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/market07.shtml).

Manipal Announces Manipal Pain Relief Centre (http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/market10.shtml)

The centre aims to provide an alternative to patients with any chronic pain that is recurrent, unbearable and longstanding


Technological Advances in Sports Medicine (http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/knowledge01.shtml)

SHIMOGA: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has sanctioned Rs. 50 lakh towards the purchase of “C-Arm” machine for conducting major orthopaedic surgeries at McGann General Hospital here.

Shimoga MP B.Y. Raghavendra, who had requested Mr. Yeddyurappa for a special grant for the machine, thanked the Chief Minister for it.

Mr. Raghavendra said the “C-Arm” was useful not only in performing orthopaedic surgeries, but also helpful in conducting urological operations.

Poor patients who could not afford expensive surgical treatment would benefit greatly with the installation of the new machine, he added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/25/stories/2010032559330300.htm)

Mangalore: 104 also planned -Palemar

By Team Mangalorean
Pics Rajesh Shetty

MANGALORE, March 27, 2010: The strength of the 108 government ambulance services Arogya Kavacha has gone up to 19 vehicles in just one year and the government was now planning to launch the medic services 104 soon said Mr. Krishna Palemar district in charge minister here today.

Speaking to the press after inducting a fleet of 7 new ambulances Mr. Palemar said the 104 will have a doctor and a paramedic and several other medical apparatus to help the patient to get medical attention right from the word go. Mr. Palemar said he was aware of the fact that the 108 services was not available in all places in Dakshina Kannada but most of the places it was available.


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The Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada Mr. V. Ponnuraj who was present on the occasion clarified that the Arogya Kavacha had covered the entire district but some gray areas were there which cannot be rectified right now. But in the other areas these vehicles have been placed so that every vehicle reaches any place within a maximum of 15- 25 minutes from any point.

With the new fleet of ambulances only few hilly areas in Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady were not covered but soon these vehicles will be stationed so that even those hilly places will get Arogya Kavacha, the ideal number of ambulances for a district like Dakshina Kannada was 24 vehicles he added.

When asked what the government was doing to mitigate the dubious status of "highly and critically polluted" earned by the Dakshina Kannada Mr. Palemar said there are few agencies that have been told by the government to assess and study the criticality of pollution, we had to engage the agencies outside the state in Hyderabad and Chennai as the Pollution Control Board in Karnataka did not have the machinery to gauge and study the pollution levels in the district.

Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=174555)

TNN, Apr 2, 2010, 10.07pm IST

MANGALORE: Health insurance smart cards of Rastriya Swasthya Bhima Yojna (RSBY), jointly being implemented by the central and state governments, will be issued to 4,382 BPL families in the district between April 5 and 10.

On April 5, smart cards will be issued to 153 families of Badagamijaru village at Ashwathapura Yuvaka Mandala; 218 families of Tenka Mijaru village at Tenkamijaru Gram Panchayat; 283 families of Iruvail at Tenka Yedapadavu Gram Panchayat office and 140 families of Tenka Yedapadavu at Tenka Yedapadavu gram panchayat office.

On April 6, 701 families in the villages of Thodaru, Kilenjaru, Badaga Ulipady and Puchamogaru will be issued at the respective gram panchayat offices.

On April 7, 689 families in the villages of Moodukonaje, Padu Konaje, Hosabettu, Matradi and Valpady will be issued at the respective gram panchayat offices.

On April 8, 714 families in the villages of Nellikaru, Panapila, Modu Moornadu and Maadu Marnadu will be issued at the respective gram panchayat offices.

On April 9, 659 families in the villages of Dharegudde, Kallaputhige, Padu Marnadu and Paladka will be issued at the respective gram panchayat offices

On April 10, 825 families in the villages of Beluvayi, Shirtady, Mogaru, Addoor will be issued at the respective gram panchayat offices, according to a release from the office of labour deparrment.


Times

Bangalore: Bangalore will soon boast of a dedicated medical hub for tourists and domestic hi-fliers. The state government is planning to develop the hub near the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) in Devanahalli, as part of its initiative to make the city one of the preferred destinations for medical tourism in the world.

The Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will develop the hub, as per its 10-year tourism master plan, in coordination with city-based private hospitals, and Ayurvedic and naturopathy centres.

The hub would be come up on 300 acres of land, a senior official of the KSTDC said. “The government is acquiring 12,000 acres of land to develop the area near the airport, and the medical hub will occupy 300 acres of this land,” he said. “Private hospitals, diagnostic centres, Ayurvedic resorts and centres offering alternative systems of medicine will function in the hub,” he said, not wanting to be named.

He said a project report was being prepared and tenders would soon be called for. “The hub will be developed under public-private partnership,” he said. The official said another hub would come up in Mysore on 400 acres of land.

People from across the globe, including the US, Europe, Pakistan, Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan and African countries, came to Bangalore for treatment. Patients flying into the city would be treated in the lap of nature, the KSTDC official said.

Ayurvedic resorts would be set up to tap tourists heading for Kerala for naturopathy and Ayurvedic treatment, Dr Issac Mathai, medical director of Soukya International’s Holistic Health Centre, said. Issac is working with the KSTDC to develop the medical hub. The resorts would have about 200 beds.

“The hub will have genuine medical institutions, and treatment will be given by trained and certified professionals. Naturopathy and yoga will also be part of the hub,” he said.

Issac said Devanahalli was chosen for the hub, since it would have been difficult to get a vast tract of land in the city. Moreover, international clients would not want to travel for over 45 minutes from the airport to reach the hub. The government was trying to invite foreign investors to set up hospitals and infrastructure at the hub, he said.

Many private hospitals are already involved in projects to tap the potential in medical tourism. Vasuki KS, general manager of Narayana Hrudayalaya, said the institution was setting up a hospital on 35 acres of land allotted to it by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board near the BIA.

The project was not part of the medical hub. But if the KSTDC approached the Hrudayalaya for cooperation in the medical hub, the hospital would lend all its help, he said. “The new hospital near BIA is likely to be ready in three years,” Vasuki said. He said foreign patients from 55 countries came to Narayana Hrudayalaya. The hospital did not have different tariffs for Indian and foreign patients, Vasuki said. “But in the new hospital, we will have different rates.”

The Apollo Hospital is also planning to set up a health care centre near the BIA. “We have sought 15 acres of land,” chief executive officer Dr Umapathy Panyala said.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-plans-medical-hub-near-international-airport_1366814)

Mangalore International Airport also suitable for Medical Hub.

Bangalore: With the global economic market firming up again, nursing professionals from India are finding a renewed demand across the world, such that the attrition rate among Bangalore’s nurses alone has crossed the 60% mark.

“The movement of Indian nurses had slowed down during the recession period. But with markets picking up again, we can safely say that the attrition rate of nurses in Karnataka is about 60-65%. Job offers from Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand were pouring in even during the recession period, but in fewer numbers. However, there has been a steep rise in such offers from elsewhere too in recent times,” said G Kasthuri, vice president of Karnataka State Nursing Council and principal of Oxford College of Nursing.

She said that her college enrolled about 60 students every year for the nursing courses, and nearly 70% of the graduating students take up jobs abroad. The remaining 30% preferred joining private health groups in the country, Kasthuri said.

“A common trend among students is to wait for a year after graduating and prepare themselves for the tests that they need to take to qualify as nurses abroad, like the NFLEX, Toefl, and other nursing-related examinations. Meanwhile, they join as lecturers in nursing colleges or as practitioners in hospitals and diagnostic centres, and simultaneously clear these exams,” said Kasthuri.

Apart from a few private nursing colleges, the two government nursing colleges in Bangalore have been accommodating about 50 students each in every batch. On an average, at least 200 nurses graduate from the city each year, and nearly 120 of them settle abroad in the following two years.

V Vimalavatji, principal of the School of Nursing, Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, said that only those students who were good in English, spoken and written, couldopt for an overseas job. “We have a batch of 45 outgoing students every year, but only five of them, on an average, clear the exams and settle abroad as most of our students hail from Kannada-medium schools. They are weak in English and have to settle for a job within the state,” she said.

Most students rarely look to joining the government sector, and if not abroad, they target a career in corporate hospitals for long-term gains.

“Freshers are groomed well with internal education, etiquette and knowledge that gives a fillip to their career growth. This is why many nurses grab an opportunity at a corporate hospital, and then appear for the various exams to help move overseas as a trained Indian nurse earns nearly five to 10 times more than over here,” said Marina Brigade, nursing supervisor of Hosmat Hospital.

“It’s not just the money, but even the respect that nurses earn in the western world, which is much more than what they get here. People treat nursing as a noble profession in the true sense overseas,” said Marina

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_native-nightingales-fly-across-seas_1366809)

Medicines for blood transfusion fast developing (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Medicines-for-blood-transfusion-fast-developing-/articleshow/5748305.cms)

* Rare medicinal plants in demand from pharma firms: Ashisar
* Meeting to be held on April 8 where more MPCAs will be announced
* ‘I will oppose any major project in the region, including the Gundia project'

Anant Hegde Ashisar, chairman of the Task Force for Conservation and Protection of the Western Ghats, inaugurating the workshop in Hassan on Thursday.

HASSAN: The Government is set to announce a policy to protect medicinal plants in the Western Ghats, Anant Hegde Ashisar, chairman of the Task Force for Conservation and Protection of the Western Ghats, said here on Thursday. The Western Ghats Task Force had identified 13 Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCA) in the region, he added.

He was speaking after inaugurating a workshop on protection of medicinal plants in the Western Ghats. The programme was organised by the Western Ghats Task Force and the Forest Department at Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatha College of Ayurveda.

Mr. Ashisar said that rare medicinal plants found in the Western Ghats were sought after by pharmaceutical companies manufacturing ayurvedic medicines. But many of them do not furnish details about the plants or the quantity used for preparing the medicines, he said.

Low-ranking forest officials also did not know much about the plants, Mr. Ashisar said.

He said a meeting would be held in Bangalore on April 8 where more MPCAs would be announced.

Chairman for Bio-fuel Task Force Ramakrishna Y.B. said that it was unfortunate that in the name of development, the environment was being damaged. Protection of plants should be everyone's responsibility, he said. Mr. Ramakrishna said that as many 400 plants in the country had been identified as bio-fuel plants and all these had medicinal value.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Ashisar said he was committed to the protection of the Western Ghats and that he would oppose any major project in the region, including the Gundia hydro-electric project in Hassan.

On the Nethravathi diversion scheme, Mr. Ashisar said he was studying the details. However, he made it clear that he would oppose tree-felling in the Western Ghats.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/02/stories/2010040255600300.htm)

There was a time when people from various towns and villages of North Karnataka used to come to Dharwad for education and to Hubli for business. With the passing of time Dharwad and Hubli have undergone transformation especially after being clubbed as twin cities with the formation of the Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation.

Apart from being centres of education and business, the twin cities have had the advantage of good healthcare facilities when compared to most of the towns in North Karnataka.

The presence of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital (KIMS) which is now celebrating its golden jubilee, was a boon to the people of North Karnataka as they were able to get comparatively good healthcare facilities.

However the lack of good medical laboratories, diagnosis centres with advanced scanning facilities forced the people to travel long distances to places like Bangalore, Mumbai and Miraj for getting advanced medical treatment.

Transformation

But it is not the case now. Healthcare facilities in the twin cities have improved gradually in the last three decades and improved by leaps and bounds especially in the last decade.

But now the situation has changed and the patients have various options, at least in the private sector.

The last decade saw the birth of another medical college in the twin cities, with the SDM Education Society establishing SDM College of Medical Sciences and Hospital at Sattur in Dharwad.

While small nursing homes have come up in good number over a period of time, the last decade saw several super speciality hospitals coming up in the twin cities mainly because of the initiation taken by groups of doctors supported by investors and in few cases NRIs. What is significant is that almost all the latest diagnostic, scanning equipments are now available at Hubli.

Lot more facilities

“There has been good development with regard to private hospitals and laboratories. Barring few advanced diagnostic techniques, every other facility is now available in the twin cities.

For what facility we used to go to Bangalore or Mumbai a year ago, it is now available in Hubli itself” said physician Dr M.C. Sindhur.

However he feels still a lot more medical facilities are required for the twin cities considering its growth rate and the extent of urbanisation and the maladies that the urbanisation brings with it.

Medical Director of Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Dr M.G. Hiremath, doesn't feel that only there has been improvement in medical services only in the private sector.

“KIMS, which is the premiere healthcare institute of public sector has undergone a transformation with regard to diagnosis and treatment. In the last decade we have set up a Cathlab, a cardiac centre, Nephrology wing, Dialysis wing and also ART centre and there are several development initiatives in the pipeline.

We are still the biggest hospital with 1,200 beds having an occupancy rate of more than 95 per cent. But let me admit that there is still lot more is required to be done and we are at it”, he said.

Dr Hiremath feels that although there has been growth in the private sector with super speciality hospitals coming up, it is not at the expected level.

In the last decade no big corporate hospitals have come up in the twin cities and as a result there is lack of hospitals which can provide comprehensive healthcare solutions to all, he said.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), the urban population of Asia is expected to double between 2,000 and 2030.

And with the twin cities slowly finding favour with the investors, there is every possibility that it would bring in more people into the twin cities in the coming years increasing more health related challenges and creating more demand for better healthcare facilities. And naturally the demand would be huge.

Considering the present healthcare facilities available in the twin cities at present, there is huge scope for further development.

And as one doctor put it, with the concept of medical insurance slowly finding favour with the general public, in all probability corporate companies are likely to invest in the twin cities. The fact that few corporate hospitals have already set up their city centres in the twin cities, might be an indication towards the same.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/07/stories/2010040763490500.htm)

Bangalore, Apr 8 (PTI)

Narayana Hrudayalaya, a Bangalore based multi-speciality heartcare hospital, has signed an agreement with the Government of Cayman Island to build a health city at Grand Cayman under a joint venture.

Cayman Island has provided major concessions to help Narayana Hrudayalaya to set up the multi-superspeciality hospital with 2,000 beds in four phases over a period of two years, a statement issued here said.

The agreement signed on Wednesday envisages construction of a 200-bed hospital in the first phase for heart, cancer, ortho and gastro intestinal surgery. Part of the health city will have a large facility of assisted living for elderly Americans. Cayman Islands has also allowed Narayana Hrudayalaya to set up a world class medical university to train doctors, nurses and paramedical students from American, Canadian, South American and Caribbean region, the statement added said.

DHNS

http://www.putturcityhospital.com/images/pch.jpg
Courtesy: PCH (http://www.putturcityhospital.com)

Whether all district centers in Karnataka have multispeciality hospitals (public or private or ppp)? We need to have multispeciality hospitals in every taluk center with about 200-bed minimum. When this could be achieved? Year 2020?

In Bangalore, it has a total of four hospitals and facilities in Karnataka at Hubli, Belgaum, Dharwad, Mangalore. It is now looking to increase its footprint in Davengere, Shimoga, Bellary by the end of this year.


Most of the regional center are going to have eye care centers.
Why Gulbarga is missed out?

The health insurance scheme has started well in a few states, particularly Kerala and Gujarat. My own experience with the much talked-about Yashaswini scheme in Karnataka was otherwise. I first heard of it from a well-to-do farmer who had availed of the benefits, because the scheme stipulates that an individual must own a certain area of land to qualify. It had nothing for the landless who are the poorest among rural folk. So while this owner of a farm underwent heart surgery at no expense, his labourer's wife had to pay for surgery on her fractured hip. Rural hospitals registered to treat insured patients complain that they have to overcome a lot of red tape and long delays before being paid by the government.

The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article393518.ece)

Most of the regional center are going to have eye care centers.
Why Gulbarga is missed out?

Proximity of Gulbarga to Hyderabad city can be the reason.

Identification of beneficiaries has become a Herculean task for successful implementation of ‘Vajpayee Arogyashree,’ an ambitious health programme launched by the State government.

The programme launched only in Gulbarga division in February has received overwhelming response till date. The majority of the beneficiaries have undergone surgery for cardiovascular, cancer, neuro and renal diseases.
However, the programme officers are finding it difficult to shortlist the beneficiaries. Joint Director of the programme Dr Pandurang R Pujari said there has been a setback in finding the ‘real’ beneficiaries.

"We do not wish to reject any application from BPL (below poverty line) families. But the applications lack authenticity and cross-checking the information has become a huge challenge,” he said.

For instance, he picked an application where a three-year-old girl required medical attention with surgery. However the application form which had a copy of the BPL card, had pictures of her parents and grandparents, but not that of the patient.

"The girl's family may be really in need of the medical attention, but the application lacks validity and hence there is a hitch in processing the form. However, we are not going to reject the application. There will be a thorough cross verification," added Dr Pujari.

He however said certain applications do get rejected as in the case of an applicant not residing in Gulbarga division or mismatch of names and age in the BPL cards.

Executive Director of the programme G Kumar Naik says that people have become very demanding after knowing about the programme. On asking, if the beneficiary patients would have to wait for a long time in the hospital to avail treatment, Naik said, "I am not adding extra beds to the hospital. I am just adding more to the existing load of patients in the hospital."

Of the 490 applications received, approval has been granted for 312 to avail treatment.

The patients can get treatment up to Rs 1.5 lakh including cardiovascular surgery, cancer treatment, neurological diseases, renal diseases, burns and neonatal care.

28 hospitals

Treatment can be availed in 28 hospitals across the State. City-based BGS Global and Narayana Hrudayalaya have contributed to most of the surgeries till date.

Patients residing in Bidar, Koppal, Raichur, Bellary, Yadgir and Gulbarga and holding a BPL card only can avail the benefits of this health programme.

DH News Service (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/62847/health-programme-plagued-identity-crisis.html)

* Scheme gives free medical treatment

BELLARY: M. Goneppa from Hagari Bommanahalli taluk had no option but to sell the one acre of land he possessed for his bypass surgery, which would cost him at least Rs. 1.5 lakh. When he heard about the Vajpayee Arogyasri scheme, it was as if his prayers had been answered. He not only gets to keep his land, but also go through the surgery free of cost.

Vajpayee Arogyasri is a health insurance scheme announced by the State Government for the benefit of those living below the poverty line (BPL).

Mr. Goneppa, father of three children, was undergoing treatment at Narayana Hrudayalaya for heart disease.

As he was unable to work, his wife ran the family by working as an agricultural labourer in the village.

“I have been given the Vajpayee Arogyasri card that covers me and family. With this I can undergo the surgery soon, and cost-free,” he told The Hindu.

As with Mr. Goneppa, 198 people from the district have already benefitted from the scheme.

Under the scheme, five in a family are entitled to free medical treatment, including surgeries for major ailments.An educated youth is appointed by the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust in all districts, taluk hospitals and community health centres to guide beneficiaries about the medical facilities available locally and in other parts of the State.

“Around four lakh families in the district would be covered under the scheme. Special insurance card is being distributed to the BPL card holders. So far, about 14,000 cards have been given away since September 1, 2009. During March, 2010, at least 2,953 cards were distributed,” Jayakumar, District Health Officer, told The Hindu.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/23/stories/2010042352910300.htm)

Karwar - ‘Solve problems at District Hospital' (http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/23/stories/2010042353530300.htm)

Pranab to lay foundation stone for ESI hospital in Gulbarga

Special Correspondent

It will come up on the university campus at a cost of Rs. 650 crore

http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/10/images/2010051060811201.jpg

START: Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge inaugurating the 14th national conference of the All-India Cement Workers' Union at Wadi in Gulbarga district on Sunday.

WADI (GULBARGA DT.): Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday that the foundation stone for the ESI Super Speciality Hospital and Medical and Dental College would be laid by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee here on May 29.

Inaugurating the 14th national conference of the All-India Cement Workers' Union affiliated to the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) at the ACC Sports Club here on Sunday, Mr. Kharge said the proposed super-speciality hospital with medical, dental and nursing colleges would be constructed on a 30-acre plot on the Gulbarga University campus at a cost of Rs. 650 crore.

He said that the proposed super-speciality hospital and medical and dental college would be a boon to the people of the region and was a “gift to the people of Gulbarga district by the Union Government”.

“My first work after becoming Union Minister for Labour and Employment was to sanction the super-speciality hospital and medical college to Gulbarga,” Mr. Kharge said.

Mr. Kharge said that the Union Government had also sanctioned Rs. 150 crore under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for improving Yadgir-Sedam-Sulepet road at a cost of Rs. 78 crore and Afzalpur-Dudhini Road connecting Afzalpur with Maharashtra at a cost of Rs. 71 crore.

Referring to several decisions taken by the UPA Government for the welfare of workers, Mr. Kharge said that it had amended the relevant laws to bring more people under schemes for the working class.

Besides amending the Workmen Compensation Act, the Union Government had also amended the Gratuity Act by bringing the staff of aided institutions under the ambit of this Act, the maximum ceiling fixed for payment of gratuity to workers at the time of retirement had been increased from Rs. 3.5 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh. No tax would be deducted from this amount, he said.

Mr. Kharge said that the ESI Act had been amended and the monthly wage ceiling of Rs. 10,000 had been increased to Rs. 15,000 to include workers under the ESI Act for medical and other facilities.

The Industrial Disputes Act had also been amended after 21 years to provide more teeth to the labour tribunals and make their judgments statutory to avoid harassment of workers and delay in implementing the judgments, he said.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/10/stories/2010051060811200.htm)

Hi all,
Any updates about the new hospital projects in karnataka. I heard some big projects like medicity are coming up near to the devanahalli airport in bangalore.

:nuts:

Sajith, JSS is opening its Superspeciality Hospital in Mysore

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3342/jsso.png
It looks damn huge.

ESI Superspecilaity hospital at a cost of 620 crores will come up in Gulbarga-Foundation to be laid by Pranab Mukherjee-Source (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/10/stories/2010051060811200.htm)
I am not aware of other cities.
BSY is planning a private superspeciality hospital in Shimoga

Shivamogga: Hi-tech Hospital Soon (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/20/stories/2010052052820300.htm)
Cisco and Apollo have collaborated in Raichur (Karnataka, South India) to demonstrate how health care in rural areas can be transformed. (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/ICT-solutions-to-transform-healthcare-bridge-Indias-rural-urban-health-divide/articleshow/5912737.cms)
Philips innovation unit to develop products for India (http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/19221445/Philips-innovation-unit-to-dev.html?h=B)
Philips set up beta testing sites at Manipal, Bengaluru (http://www.livemint.com/2010/05/19221445/Philips-innovation-unit-to-dev.html?h=B)
Manipal: Guv inaugurates Trauma Centre‎ (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=179179)
Manipal Health Systems to invest Rs. 80 cr for facility modernization, hike in bed strength (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=55286&sectionid=)

Sajith, JSS is opening its Superspeciality Hospital in Mysore

http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3342/jsso.png
It looks damn huge.

ESI Superspecilaity hospital at a cost of 620 crores will come up in Gulbarga-Foundation to be laid by Pranab Mukherjee-Source (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/10/stories/2010051060811200.htm)
I am not aware of other cities.
BSY is planning a private superspeciality hospital in Shimoga

Thank you akash for the updates

Pranab to lay foundation-stone for ESIC hospital
New Delhi, May 27, DHNS:

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee will lay the foundation stone for a multi-specialty hospital and a medical college of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) at Gulbarga on May 29.

The state-of-the-art healthcare complex, comprising medical, dental and nursing colleges and the 500-bed ESIC hospital, will be built at a cost of Rs 790 crore. The Union Ministry of Labour is funding the project, including the construction as well as running the institution after the completion of the work.

The project, first of its kind by the ministry in North Karnataka, aims to provide better healthcare facility to the ESIC beneficiaries coming under the jurisdiction of Gulbarga division, Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge told Deccan Herald.

100 MBBS seats

The medical college will have 100 MBBS seats, while the dental and the nursing colleges will have 50 and 40 seats respectively. Of the total seats in all the three colleges — MBBS, BDS and Nursing — 40 per cent seats will be reserved for state students.

Apart from this, there will be 10 per cent quota each for the children of ESIC beneficiaries and contributors. The intake for students for all the three colleges will be made on the basis of all India competitive examinations. The hospital will have 12 types of ultra modern wards and there will be a super specialty treatment for major health problems. There will be 12 operation theatres, including two emergency and two maternity operation theatres.

The project, which is coming up on 30.4 acres of land, will be constructed on green building concept and it will have hostel facilities for students, accommodations for doctors and other staff, and guest houses for patients and their relatives. The construction is expected to complete in 24 months.DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/71949/pranab-lay-foundation-stone-esic.html)

* Sriramulu inaugurates mega health camp held under the scheme
* The Government will bear medical expenses up to Rs. 2 lakh per family in a year
* Around 16 lakh BPL families in six districts of north Karnataka will benefit from the scheme

Raichur: Inaugurating the mega health camp held under the Vajpayee ArogyaSri Yojana at the Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here on Thursday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare B. Sriramulu said that the Government had decided to implement the Vajpayee ArogyaSri Yojana in all districts.

He said that the Vajpayee ArogyaSri Yojana was presently being implemented in Gulbarga, Bellary, Bidar, Bijapur and Raichur. He said that it would be launched in Koppal district shortly. The mega health camp would screen people from BPL families for tertiary ailments. The scheme aimed at providing quality healthcare to BPL families so that they could get major ailments treated at corporate hospitals. The Government would bear medical expenses up to Rs. 2 lakh per family in a year.

The Minister said that the Government had selected 65 super-speciality hospitals to provide treatment to patients identified under the scheme. Around 16 lakh BPL families in six districts of north Karnataka would benefit from the scheme. Eligible families in these districts should make use of the scheme, he said.

Mr. Sriramulu said that the Arogya Kavacha scheme had received a good response. About 517 ambulances were in service all over the State. So far, they had received 1.28 crore calls from the public seeking medical help and till now more than 1.97 lakh deliveries had been successfully handled. However, because ambulances could not reach many remote villages, the Government had decided to launch mobile clinic facility, which can be availed of by dialling 104, in all the rural areas of the State.

‘Top priority to health'

Stating that the Government had accorded top priority to health, Mr. Sriramulu said that the Government had recently recruited about 562 doctors and 5,071 paramedical staff, mainly to improve healthcare in all primary health centres of the State.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/05/28/stories/2010052857850300.htm)

Name: Dr Devi Shetty
Company: Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals
Interested in: 5,000 bed super specialty hospital, star category hotel and service apartments
Location: near Bengaluru International Airport
Investment: Rs 990 crore
Doctors’ wives vote B’lore!
The health ambassador for Karnataka used GIM to showcase the investor-friendly face of the state by narrating how easy it was for him to scale up from a 250-bed hospital to one with 3,000 beds. He believes Karnataka will emerge as a major health care hub. A pointer to this is the opinion of doctors from across the world and the snap interviews with their wives! Why interview wives? Dr Shetty explains, “I have a thumb-rule when I interview doctors. I ask their wives which city in the world would they prefer to stay. A majority prefer Bangalore.”
Source (http://www.bangaloremirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=10&contentid=2010060420100604055954476799f5e13)

Bangalore, Jun 4 (PTI) To woo healthcare providers, Karnataka today showcased the state as an investment hub with huge market potential in various health-related fields, including medical tourism.

"Karnataka is the knowledge hub of Asia. Bangalore has been ranked number two in existence of health facilities in the country in a research by National Population Stabilisation Fund with the National Informatics Centre," Ramachandra Gowda, Minister for Medical Education said at the Global Investors Meet here.

Outlining opportunities in the healthcare and wellness sectors, he said, "it is estimated that patients from 42 countries visit Bangalore to get treatment."

Gowda said there is a need to set up sophisticated super speciality hospitals with equipment like high versions of Direct Digital Radiography, MRI machines, cyber shot cancer treatment equipment and CT scans in all districts to provide the best treatment at affordable rates.

PTI (http://www.ptinews.com/news/692183_Karnataka-woos-medical-healthcare-and-wellness-providers)

A booster dose for 26,000 jobless people
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIBG/2010/06/05/25/Img/Pc0251000.jpg
The GIM has guaranteed direct employment to 26,000 people in the state’s healthcare sector. Eleven MoUs were signed on Friday in the sector, with total investment of Rs 4,500 crore.
Health minister B Sriramulu said: “We are facing problems in providing trained medical and paramedical staff. This is because of deficiency in service delivery. To solve this, we have launched schemes under PPP, providing the private sector a good opportunity for managing PHCs and government hospitals in the state.’’
Medical education minister Ramachandra Gowda said: “Bangalore comes second in healthcare service. This, as per a study done by the National Population Stabilisation Fund and National Informatics Centre. Soon, there’ll be an exclusive health city at the Bengaluru International Airport through PPP.’’
Four central locations in Bangalore have been identified for PPP — 250-bed hospital at Indiranagar; 10 acres at HRBR Layout; 10 acres at Magadi Road, Sumanahalli junction and at Banashankari. Preferential treatment will be given to patients from BPL families,’’ health commissioner D N Nayak said.
Narayana Health City chairman Devi Prasad Shetty said: “Karnataka provides phenomenal tax benefits for healthcare investors. With 39 medical colleges and a prestigious university like Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, there is adequate human resources. Favourable weather is another big factor for most medical specialists to stay on in Bangalore.’’
Pro-chancellor of Manipal University Dr H S Ballal said with 80% of healthcare service accessible in urban areas, more investment is needed in rural and backward areas.
Enough fodder for the mind
TEAM TOI
Food technology (FT) is bulkier and heftier than information technology (IT) and biotechnology (BT) put together. “For, the former already has a consumption base of over 1 billion multiplied by 3 — breakfast, lunch and dinner,’’ said V Prakash, director, CFTRI (Central Food Technological Research Institute).
Given the sheer market potential of the space, a large number of entrepreneurs should foray into agro-processing. “Food security is critical; we are not talking about enzymes and chemicals. Everyone is health conscious. I request the state government to offer adequate handholding to small and medium food entrepreneurs,’’ he stressed.
Sajay Guhlot, director (food processing), Union ministry of food processing, said India’s GDP is expected to exceed that of Italy, France and Germany by 2020. The country’s food production is 856 million tonnes a year against US’s 608 million tonnes.
The state government is currently reworking the draft of the food processing policy; the cabinet is expected to clear it shortly.
source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2010/06/05&PageLabel=26&EntityId=Ar02500&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

HCG inks pact with Karnataka govt for 200 bed cancer centre (near BIAL), to pump in Rs 130 (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=55802&sectionid=)

According to V Umesh, secretary, Karnataka department of medical education, the 11 projects slated to come up would generate 26,000 employment opportunities.

The investments include Sagar Hospital funding a Rs 3,000 crore hospital chain across the state followed by Narayana Hrudayalaya Rs 990 crore in Bangalore Rural. QED Pre-clinical services is investing Rs 5.92 crore in a facility spanning 36 acres in Bangalore Rural. Kamineni Health Services is investing Rs 24.76 crore in a hospital at Bodar to come up on a 196 acre plot. GM Property is investing Rs 40 crore in wellness centre at Kodagu spanning over 400 acres. Narayana Eye Foundation is investing Rs 40 crore for 750 acres of land in Bangalore Rural, Kidney hospital being set up by a private investor with an funding assistance of Rs 4,705 crore will come up on 350 acres in Bangalore Rural.

Read more on pharmabiz (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=55830&sectionid=).

Madikeri, 8th June: A proposal to establish a medical college and a horticultural college in Kodagu has been submitted to the State Government, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly K.G. Bopaiah has said. The establishment of the colleges was aimed at ushering in all round development of the district, he added.

Mr. Bopaiah was speaking at Napoklu in Madikeri taluk on Monday, after inaugurating the newly built community health centre, constructed at a cost of Rs. 1.6 crore. The centre was built under the Karnataka Health System Development and Reforms project, an official release said.

Read more on c2clive (http://www.c2clive.com/latestnewsdetail.php?id=1101)

The doctors' ability to comfort and heal means so much to us. Their dedication really makes a difference in the lives of others. Here is a hospital that has made a positive difference in the life of many by being thorough and professional in its approach.

The Manipal Health Systems provides path-breaking medical services, ably supported by usage of high-end technology in this new age of healthcare. Years of experience and impeccable expertise in the sphere of medicine and healthcare delivery, help doctors in the diagnoses and treatment of medical conditions thereby enabling patients to live their lives in the warm comfort of good healthcare.

Its broad range of services include state-of-the-art medical diagnostics, hi-tech patient treatment/monitoring systems that together enables them to provide new and advanced diagnoses, treatment of heart and neurological diseases, cancer and other conditions.

Manipal Hospital, Bangalore

This hospital on Old Airport Road, is a landmark destination for quality and affordable healthcare. The 600-bed, centrally air-conditioned hospital is the leading quaternary care multi super specialty referral centre in Karnataka, with 56 specialties.

Manipal Hospital has been ranked among the top 5 hospitals in survey. This was an all India survey conducted by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Government of India.

With a team of some of the best doctors in the world, an attentive staff and state-of-the-art equipments, the hospital provides specialized medical services at affordable cost.

Surely then for the doctors at Manipal Hospital with keen medical skills, wisdom, personal dedication and caring, Doctors' Day means so much them. Dr. K.S.S. Bhat, Director Clinical Cardiology, says that for the past over four decades, Manipal Health Systems has been delivering state-of-the-art healthcare services that are curative and preventive in nature, to both national and international patients world over. “Doctors' Day provides us an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the welfare of our patients,” he says.

Dr. Praveen Ganigi, Consultant Neurosurgeon feels that the day has a lot of significance and it reminds patients of the role that doctors have played in their lives. “The day also reminds us the human touch with which we need to treat our patients,” he says. For Dr. Shabber. S. Zaveri, Head and Consultant, Surgical Oncology, it is a day to look back at all the efforts they have made to bring back smiles on the faces of their patients.

Dr. K. N. K. Shetty, Head and Consultant, Gastroenterology says that the doctor-patient relationship has changed over the years. “Medicine also has limitations as any other biological science. Trust, faith and hope make the doctor-patient relationship work better. On Doctors' Day, both doctors and patients must take note of this to improve doctor-patient relationship,” he adds.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/01/stories/2010070161030300.htm)

Bangalore: A dire shortfall in human resources ails the health sector towards which India needs to double the number of its doctors from 0.8 to 1.5 million, according to Prathap C. Reddy, founder and chairman of the Apollo Hospitals Group.

The country needed to triple nurses from 0.8 to 2.5 million and quadruple its paramedics from 2.5 to 10 million, Dr. Reddy told presspersons on Tuesday.

Total healthcare spending should be increased to 8 per cent of the GDP by 2012 from the 5 per cent it was now, he added at a press meet to announce Healthex 2010.

The four-day event, beginning July 16, would include an exhibition in medical, surgical and diagnostic equipment, technology, materials, supplies and allied services. Seventy national and international exhibitors from six countries would be attending the event, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry and Bangalore International Exhibition Services.

Beds needed

Dr. Reddy, who is the chairman of Healthex, said 1,00,000 beds needed to be added every year at a cost of $30 billion for the next two decades to meet the medical demand. Anjan Bose, vice-president and head of professional and public affairs, Philips Electronics India Ltd. said the medical equipment and devices industry must explore the potential of India as a production hub.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/01/stories/2010070162500600.htm)

After the termination of the contract with Apollo group of hospitals, Sagar Group has now embarked upon an ambitious expansion in the State and abroad.

Top of their agenda is the construction of a hi-tech hospital, exclusively meant for health tourism at Devanahalli Airport.

Disclosing this, Executive Director for the Sagar Group of Hospitals, Dr Radhakrishna said the project was in the pipeline after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Government at the recently concluded Global Investors Meet (GIM).

“As per the understanding, the Government will part with 10 acres of land for building a state-of-the-art hospital to attract health tourism,” he said. The project scheduled to begin at the earliest will host 1,000 in-house patients.

The project is estimated at Rs 300 crore and will take three years for its completion.

“We may also, to start with, take domestic patients for running the show,” said Radhakrishna.

This apart, the Sagar group has also outlined smaller hospitals of 100-200 beds in Hubli, Mysore and Davanagere.

Meanwhile, going overseas, the group will have two Polyclinics and one Day Surgical Centres in Dubai and Muscat.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/80480/sagar-group-construct-hi-tech.html)

As a Mangaluriga I would like to have one Sagar Hospital in Mangaluru also for medical tourism. Advantages of Mangaluru are international airport, huge manpower of well qualified doctors and nurses.

Bangalore: Having assisted the Karnataka Government on a host of urban infrastructure projects in the State, the 10-year-old Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (iDeCK) will now be venturing into a new sector, healthcare.

The company is a joint venture of the Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited, the Government of Karnataka and Housing Development Finance Corporation, and helps identify infrastructure projects that could be implemented through private participation. It thereafter coordinates the process of project development.

The company will be facilitating hospitals on a public-private partnership mode, said MD and CEO of iDeCK, P.V. Ravi, at a press conference on Monday. The investments will be made within two months, while the project will be completed in 24 months.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/13/stories/2010071353770400.htm)

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100708/images/8therapy.jpg

Timely intervention saved Amal Bhattacharya’s life following a massive heart attack last winter. But the 51-year-old telecom executive, the sole bread-earner in the family, was forced into premature superannuation since he can’t exert himself after losing a large chunk of heart muscle.

For the first time in India, there is concrete hope for patients like him, with a Bangalore-based biotechnology company gearing up to bring what it says will be the first scientifically-proven stem cell therapy product into the Indian market in 2012.

The product, to be launched in intravenous and intra-muscular injection form, will be initially targeted at acute myocardial infarction (AMI or heart attack) and critical limb ischemia (CLI or blocked blood vessels in limbs) patients.

Stempeutics Research, developing stem cell-based medicinal products, with facilities in Bangalore, Manipal and Kuala Lumpur, has obtained the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)/Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approval for conducting multi-centric Phase I/II combined clinical trials for its two most advanced programmes. The ongoing projects are indicated in these two life-threatening/debilitating conditions.

“This is the first allogenic stem cell clinical trial approved in India. A Phase III study is planned in 2011 and we have to wait for the outcome and data consolidation for about six months, after which we are planning to hit the market. Before that, our concern is to assess the safety and efficacy of the investigational new drug in the clinical trial,” B.N. Manohar, president, Stempeutics Research, told Metro from Bangalore.

Recent advances in research have confirmed stem cell efficacy in treating heart attacks, strokes and spinal cord injuries. The three key areas of future application of stem cells, which are used to replace or initiate the production of other cells that are damaged or missing, are regenerative medicine, individual vaccines and cost-effective cell therapy.

Doctors in the city are bullish on the impact of a stem cell-derived medicine being available off the shelves soon. “Such a therapeutic product could be very useful in treating critical limb ischemia in particular, where sometimes the disease is so extensive, diffuse and multi-sited that corrective intervention is not feasible,” said J. Naik, director, cardiology and cathlab services, Medica Superspecialty Hospital.

Naik, however, feels before the stem-cell medicine can become equally effective in treating heart-attack patients with damaged cardiac muscle, the problem of cardiac arrhythmia, often resulting from heterogenous cell growth following stem cell injection, needs to be addressed properly.

“We are taking all these potential pitfalls into account while fine-tuning our product at this point,” said Radhika Bobba, the medical director of Stempeutics Research and in-charge of the clinical trials.

“Our focus is on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to be used as a drug for therapeutic treatment of various degenerative diseases. Besides AMI and CLI, several other programmes are currently awaiting regulatory approval in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, liver cirrhosis, osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus,” she added.

In Calcutta, CordLife Sciences India, the partly owned Indian subsidiary of Singapore-based cord blood banking major CordLife, announced last December that it would soon bring its expertise of using cord blood stem cells to treat cerebral palsy to the city.

Chennai-based LifeCell, India’s first private cord blood bank, is also doing advanced R&D in the therapeutic domain with stem cells.

Telegraph India (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100708/jsp/calcutta/story_12550020.jsp)

Also, takes over hotel for Rs 35 cr, converts to hospital

HealthCare Global (HCG), which claims to be South Asia’s biggest cancer care hospital chain, has firmed up plans for a Rs 150 crore hospital of around 400 beds in the healthcity planned by the state government near the Bangalore International Airport.

The hospital will have high-end technology for treatment and care of paediatric cancer, bone marrow, leukaemia among others. The chain has been allotted six acres by the state government at the healthcity proposed by the Karnataka government at the Global Investors’ Meet to be set up under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG), one of the leaders in healthcare industry, signed an MoU with the Government of Karnataka to set up a cancer treatment and research centre at Devanahalli and the government has agreed to facilitate the investment after signing the MoU.

HCG aims to set up 30-35 cancer care centres in the next 3-4 years. Many of these centres will be in tier II and tier III cities.

In these smaller cities, while the real estate / building costs are about 20 per cent lower, this advantage is offset by the manpower costs. Salaries are the only enticements to get people to work in the smaller cities, said Dr B S Ajaikumar, Chairman and CEO, HCG Enterprises Ltd.

Besides, HCG has taken a hotel adjacent to HCG’s on a long term lease for Rs 35 crore. It has set up a 90-bed hospital, and also a second imaging unit there. The hospital has 350 oncologists on board.

HCG has 350 oncologists associated with it. In three to fours years it aims to go in for an IPO, and will eventually make investments of Rs 800-1,000 crore. The chain has till now seen investment of Rs 400-450 crore with about Rs 250 crore coming from four private equity firms.

HCG has so far received equity funding from PremjiInvest of around Rs 40 crore, from IDFC of Rs 55 crore and from Evolvence, Rs 25 crore. It had got Rs 31.2 crore from Milestone Religare Investment Advisors Ltd. The rest of the funds have been raised as debt.

On the land allotment, Dr B S Ajaikumar said, “We are yet to see the land and we don’t know the location of the land."

HCG had unveiled the PET Myocardial Blood Flow (MBF) System that offers clinicians a non-invasive method to determine true myocardial blood flow and accurately assess the need for revascularisation procedures such as stenting and bypass surgery.

For the oncology major, the commissioning of MBF opens an exciting new dimension in quantitative metabolic imaging and also marks its foray into cardiology diagnosis. The MBF provides an absolute measure for blood flow in the myocardium to assess minutest of problems that hitherto remained undetected with conventional imaging techniques.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/hospital-plans-rs-150-cr-facility-near-airport/401496/)

HospitalityWorld Bengaluru adds impetus to the cause of promoting hospitality ... (http://news.google.co.in/news/url?sa=t&ct2=in%2F0_0_s_1_0_t&ct3=MAA4AEgBUABgAWoCaW4&usg=AFQjCNHZ00Ti9Hyrl1mgPUHUkgZocfCBUA&cid=0&ei=udE_TJCdOtGAkQW90PnEAQ&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.expresstravelworld.com%2F201007%2Fmarket01.shtml)
Manipal Hospital: New package for bariatric surgery (http://news.google.co.in/news/url?sa=t&ct2=in%2F0_0_s_9_0_t&ct3=MAA4AEgJUABgAWoCaW4&usg=AFQjCNHG1HUJoAlm95PewarDFpEaNqmhhQ&cid=17593776210715&ei=5KdBTPi9CMKBkQWNt_bEAQ&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnaindia.com%2Fbangalore%2Freport_new-package-for-bariatric-surgery_1410403)

Yos Technologies to tap more cities in Karnataka

Yos Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based healthcare software products and solutions company, has announced its plans to tap Tier-2 and -3 cities in Karnataka for its hospital management solutions (HMS) and services. The company has tied up with Mangala Hospital at Hassan, Adarsha Hospital at Tumkur, and a Tier-1 government hospital at Bellary where it will provide its HMS and services.

Yos Technologies is also looking at tying up with hospitals in other Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in Karnataka like Mysore, Mangalore, Udipi, Hubli, Shimoga and Belgaum. "Hospitals, especially in Tier-2 and -3 cities have been facing challenges in adoption of information technology because most solutions offered to them so far needed large upfront investments as well as major changes in their overall processes and retraining of their staff. Yos is addressing this need with its solutions that are simple to deploy and use. Our solutions help the hospital improve operational efficiencies, while giving hospitals an opportunity to generate revenues as well. It also benefits the end user -- the patient -- who now has access to smart cards and the associated benefits that were only available in bigger Tier-1 cities till now," said Vijaya Verma, Founder-CEO, Yos Technologies.

"We have already tied up with more than 30 hospitals in Bengaluru and now we are looking at expanding to other Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in Karnataka where we see huge potential for our hospital management solutions and services," added Verma.

Yos had recently announced the release of the latest version of Yos Record Management System (RMS), a smart card-based, pay-as-you-grow solution for managing hospital inpatient and outpatient records.
Source (http://www.cxotoday.com/News/Healthcare/Web_Technologies/Yos_Technologies_to_tap_more_cities_in_Karnataka/551-112356-21030.html)

* It will cost Rs. 30 crore; foundation stone on October 23

Bijapur: To provide better facilities to people in the region and to mark its centenary celebrations, BLDE Association has decided to construct a super-speciality hospital by spending Rs. 30 crore.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, BLDE Association chairman and Babaleshwar MLA M.B. Patil said that the foundation stone for the building would be laid on October 23 and President Prathiba Patil is expected to take part in the programme.

To provide better health facilities to slum dwellers, the university is planning to adopt primary health centres in three slum areas in the city.

To accommodate more students in engineering and Master of Business Administration (MBA) courses, there were plans to construct an engineering and technology and MBA college on the Bhutnal campus.

As the students opting for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) colleges concentrated more on getting jobs quickly, the university has signed an agreement with BOSCH Company to provide training to students and also help them get placements.

For rural students

To help rural students in the district, the university has drawn up plans to open another polytechnic college at Basavan Bagewadi or Talikot, he said. The university has plans to start a pre-primary and primary school at Jal Nagar in the city to facilitate students in the new extension areas. A high school was launched this academic year on Bhutnal campus, he added. To bring professionalism in all its education institutions, BLDE Deemed University is planning to appoint a Chief Executive Officer. “The CEO will be a retired IAS officer or one from an equal cadre,” he added.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/29/stories/2010072950450300.htm)

Manipal Hospital launches mobile dialysis unit (http://www.hindu.com/2010/07/30/stories/2010073064460600.htm)

BANGALORE, July 23, 2010: Here is good news for students wanted to pursue MBBS course in Karnataka. After much legal ordeal, the State government has finally obtained approval from the Medical Council of India (MCI) for admission of students for the medical course in five medical colleges.

The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) will hold extended counseling for allotment of 368 medical seats on Monday and Tuesday. The KEA will hold counseling for admission of students for the MBBS course at the CET centre in the City. It will not hold counselling in regional centres as in the case of engineering seats.

Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda told presspersons here on Friday that the MCI had approved admissions for 500 seats in five colleges for the year 2010-11. Out of 500 seats, 45 seats have been allotted under the Central Government quota while 87 under the COMED-K quota. A total of 368 seats would be allotted under the CET quota by the Government, he said.

The college-wise allotment of 368 seats is: Government Medical Colleges of Bidar, Raichur and Shimoga - 85 each, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences  50 and S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences, Davanagere - 63.

The KEA has suspended counselling for medical seats after June 14 following non-approval of admissions in medical colleges by the MCI. According to the MCI guidelines, July 31 is the last date for admission for MBBS course and classes would commence from August 1. Counselling for candidates who secured ranks from 1 to 2000 would be held on Monday and on Tuesday for those who secured ranks from 2001. Of a total of 3765 medical seats available in the State, 1780 seats come under the CET category, 164 seats under the Central Government category, 182 falls under the COMED-K category, he said.

Minister for Higher Education Aravind Limbavali said 40,000 engineering seats would be made available this year and so far counselling process had been completed for 12,000 seats.

Ministers said they have been proposing a single CET for admission of students for professional courses. In fact, COMED-K has been conducting test and allotting seats. As per the Supreme Court directive, the MCI should make arrangements for conducting a single CET for the medical course all over the country, Medical Education Principal Secretary I M Vittal Murthy said.

Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=188745)

Sunil Kumar Das had lost all hopes when he severely damaged both his eyes in an accident at work five years ago.

In spite of visits to several hospitals, he could not find treatment that could restore his eyes. However, a month ago Sunil underwent stem cell transplant surgery and can now see at up to least two meters. He believes that although his vision is still hazy, he will become alright.

What's interesting is the fact that the stem cells were recovered from his mouth. According to Dr Himanshu Matalia, director, Stem cell research, Narayana Nethralaya, when one eye is injured, stem cells are taken from the limbus, the area between cornea and the white of the eye which is a store house of stem cells. The cells are grown in the lab and then transplanted to the eyes, where they regenerate the limbus of the injured eyes and form the protective skin over the eye.

When both the eyes are injured, the cells are taken from immediate blood relatives. However, there is a possibility of rejection and the patient has to be on expensive immunosuppressant drugs life long.

As Das neither had his relatives here, nor could he afford the immunosuppressant drugs, the only option left was to perform the COMET (Cultured Oral Mucosal Epithelial Transplantation) surgery. However, this was not easy.

"Sunil had started taking gutka, paan, etc, since he had lost vision. This compromised his oral hygiene," said Dr Matalia. Sunil was asked to stop taking these addictives and six months later oral mucosal biopsy was done, where a small graft tissue from the mouth was taken. The collected cells were spilt in two and grown on amniotic membrane in two plates. When the two samples were ready (cells covering over 90 per cent of the amniotic membrane), stem cell transplant was done on both the eyes in one sitting recently. Das is the second patient to have undergone this process in the hospital.

Das, who worked in a granite factory, lost his eyes when a chemicl used to cut the stone fell in to his eyes. Although, he was taken to hospital immediately, the doctors couldn't restore his vision. After visiting couple of eye hospitals, Das came to Malatia a year ago.

Malatia said Sunil’s vision would improve when the membrane is absorbed. He would then decide whether a cornea implant is needed depending on the scarring of the eyes. The hospital waived Das’ treatment fee of Rs 30,000.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85050/stem-cells-own-eyes-restore.html)

Great news. :banana::cheers::banana:

http://www.themedguru.com/files/mammography_van.jpg
themedguru (http://www.themedguru.com/20100801/newsfeature/dialysis-mobile-van-rolled-out-bangalore-86138633.html)

Dialysis at your doorstep with Manipal Hospital (http://www.mybangalore.com/article/0710/dialysis-at-your-doorstep-with-manipal-hospital.html)

Mobile dialysis units have been introduced for people with renal failure who are unable to commute from their homes for the treatment. The imitative "Dialysis at your doorstep" was inaugurated by Dr. APJ Kalam at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore.

Medical Education Minister Ramachandra Gowda has said the State Government has earmarked Rs 10 crore for a scheme to provide kidney and heart treatment free of cost for the poor patients.

Speaking after inaugurating the annual review and instructional course for Urology postgraduate students at MS Ramaiah Hospital on Friday, he said nearly 2,000 open heart surgeries and 100 kidney transplants will be conducted the Kidney Samrakshana Yojana.

The Minister also said there were plans to start cardiac and cancer speciality facilities, apart from dialysis units in all districts and taluks.

Taking a dig at doctors’ reluctance to practise in rural areas, he said: “The Government has spent Rs 583 crore on establishing six new medical colleges across the State in the last two years. Despite having so many medical colleges across the State there is a shortage of doctors in rural areas.”

As many as 200 postgraduate students and 50 practising urologists from India, USA and Germany are attending the three-day course being held in collaboration with the American Urological Society.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/85036/rs10-crore-earmarked-free-heart.html)

Health minister B Sriramulu has said the spread of communicable diseases has been under control in the State.

Compared to statistics of the previous year, the number of cases reported this year has been less he told reporters here on Thursday, insisting that dengue had claimed only one life so far.

The minister, who had a meeting with the officers of his department earlier, said the situation was not as grim as reported in media. As per the guidelines issued by the Government of India, only the Elisa test could confirm dengue cases. He said the government would provide treatment and medicines for dengue patients reported in government hospitals free of cost.

Till the end of July this year, only a child in Bangalore died because of dengue. However, media reported deaths on the basis of reports of rapid tests conducted by private hospitals, Sriramulu said.

He said his department had set up 14 surveillance centres across the State to conduct Elisa tests and keep a check on spread of the disease. The hospitals should refer the samples to these centres.

Sriramulu admitted that the department had not been able to access the cases reported at private hospitals. There was no channel of communication between private hospitals and the department. A committee of experts has been constituted to work out a module for getting information from private hospitals regularly.

Vector control

The minister maintained that department alone was not responsible for checking the spread of the diseases. The diseases were spread by mosquitoes. The vectors could be avoided by maintaining cleanliness.

“Local bodies must maintain cleanliness. The Health Department has been coordinating with departments of Medical Education, Urban Development,” he said. On shortage of platelets required for dengue treatment, the minister said the department was dependent on blood banks and blood donors. “There is no other source. Where we can get blood platelets”, he said.

Call Sriramulu!

Problem in getting proper medical assistance in government hospitals? Call Health minister Sriramulu on his cellphone - number 99011-57777. The minister appealed to the media to publish his cell number so that the aggrieved public can contact him. He said he would receive all calls. Dr T S Cheluvaraju, Joint Director, Communicable Diseases, can also be contacted on 94498-43136. A toll-free number for all health related queries would be launched, the minister added.

Within an hour after media flashed his numbers, Sriramulu received 40 calls. Four calls pertained to suspected dengue cases- one from Tumkur, another from Bangalore and other two from Bangalore City, the Minister said.

Case file

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images/August%202010/August%205%202010/DIS-IMAGE-350.jpg


DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/86466/14-surveillance-centres-keep-tabs.html)

Suvarna Arogya scheme to benefit 4 lakh students (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/86444/suvarna-arogya-scheme-benefit-4.html)

http://udayavani.com/udayavani_cms/gall_content/2010/8/2010_8$largeimg209_Aug_2010_161249977.jpg

Puttur: The 108 ambulance is ready to help during emergency. People make call to 108 to carry victims of accidents, pregnant women to hospital. But the staff working in these ambulances doesn’t have any residential facility.

An ambulance was sanctioned for Uppinangady. The staff working in the ambulance used to respond in the times of emergency.

There is no proper shed for the vehicle. Women staff stay in their relatives or friends houses. Neither the voluntary associations nor the Uppinangady Gram Panchayat is taking interest in providing shed for the vehicle or proper room facility for the staff.

Udayavani (http://udayavani.com/news/6374L14-No-shed-for-Ambulance.html)

Around 20 to 25 ambulances will be parked on footpath near Wenlock Hospital Mangaluru creating a lot of nuisance to pedestrians who are running towards railway station to catch trains. Health Minister listening?

* ‘I have started identifying professionals who can run them successfully'

http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/13/images/2010081352960301.jpg
— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM
Hi-tech facility:Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa at the Cath Lab of the new branch of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on the premises of the K.R. Hospital in Mysore on Thursday. Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda and institute Director C.N. Manjunath are seen.

MYSORE: While announcing the Government's plan to open super-speciality hospitals in all districts to provide free and affordable healthcare, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Thursday said that he had started identifying medical professionals who could run the hospitals successfully and change the perception of the people about the healthcare services offered by the State.

Speaking at a function after inaugurating the Mysore branch of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on the premises of K.R. Hospital here, he said people, especially those in rural areas, had no access to quality healthcare at affordable cost. Therefore, the Mysore branch of the institute had been opened.

The Chief Minister said that people did not have confidence in government hospitals and schools and depended on private institutions for services. They did not mind taking loans to send their children to private schools. “This impression should go and institutions should be built in such a manner that both rich and the poor get quality services,” he added.

Reiterating his Government's aim to provide quality healthcare, he said: “From now on, I will look for people who can take forward hospitals proposed in each district successfully on the lines of the Jayadeva institute. We need people like C.N. Manjunath, institute Director, who can revolutionise healthcare.” Replying to the request by Chamaraja MLA H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda and Mysore MP A.H. Vishwanath to release Rs. 27 crore to upgrade and develop the century-old K.R. Hospital attached to the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRII), the Chief Minister promised to release funds and added that a directive in this regard would be issued in a week.

“I will definitely take steps to release funds soon if the elected representatives here and the Mayor take the responsibility of ensuring their best use for the development of the hospital,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said. The Chief Minister said hospitals such as K.R. Hospital needed people with commitment and vision.

He said that a decision on opening a nursing college under MMCRI would be taken soon. “I do feel that there is a need for a nursing college. I will take up the matter,” he said.

Minister for Medical Education Ramachandra Gowda, who inaugurated the Cath Lab at the Jayadeva branch here, said surgical services at the new branch would be launched next year. The branches of Jayadeva would also be opened in Shimoga, Hubli and Gulbarga, he added.

District in-charge Minister S. Suresh Kumar inaugurated the Intensive Coronary Care Unit. Dr. Manjunath spoke about the new branch. The Chief Minister launched the campus resource management project of MMCRI and presented the first smartcard under it to its Director and Dean Venkatesh.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the 75-bed Jayadeva branch at the out-patient block of the K.R. Hospital.

S.A. Ramdas, H.S. Shankaralinge Gowda, Tanveer Sait and S.R. Mahesh, MLAs, and Siddaraju and Tontadarya, MLCs, were present.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/08/13/stories/2010081352960300.htm)

The Karnataka government has released the first instalment of Rs 3.75 crore for extending the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (National Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme — NCHIS) for families living below the poverty line (BPL), initially launched in five districts, to cover the remaining 25 districts and urban areas in the state.

On the direction of the Centre, which funds 75 per cent of the expenditure and the rest by the state, the Karnataka government has provided Rs 15 crore in the 2010-11 budget for covering 1.08 million BPL families from the unorganised sector living in the rural parts of the districts in the state.

The scheme was initially launched in five districts of Mysore, Bangalore rural, Shimoga, Belgaum and Dakshina Kannada, and included Bangalore rural in 2009-10 as a pilot project. The lowest tender of Rs 4.75 crore from the National Insurance Company for the five districts has already been approved by the Centre.

Issual of smart cards for the beneficiaries of the national scheme was launched during February last and 46 per cent of the 122,511 identified beneficiaries have been issued with the cards so far in Mysore district, according to state labour commissioner M S Ravishankar.

Reviewing the progress of the scheme, its awareness among the beneficiaries and whether the smart cards have reached 51,313 families in the district so far, he said health benefits were being provided in six government hospitals, 11 private hospitals and 36 health centres.

NCHIS covers BPL families as per a 2002 survey conducted by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayatraj. A family as was defined under the scheme comprised five members — head of the family, his spouse and three of his dependent children. They are eligible to get benefits of treatment subject to a maximum of Rs 30,000 each every year.

They will be also eligible for Rs 100 to cover travel expenses to hospitals each time, the maximum allowed in a year being Rs 1,000. Treatment can be had in any of the hospitals identified by the insurance company.

Diseases noticed among beneficiaries even before the NCHIS was launched would be treated under it, deputy commissioner Harsh Gupta added.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-widens-health-cover/405247/)

Star hospitals blink, to okay cashless deal (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-widens-health-cover/405247/)

Bengaluru, Aug. 31: When a person meets with a fatal accident or exhibits distressful symptoms like acute abdominal or chest pain, the first 15 minutes to an hour can decide whether the person will die or live to tell the tale. In such instances, ultrasound being the only visualization technology that provides real-time imaging of what is happening inside the patient’s body can be used as a crucial tool for quick diagnosis. However, until recently, ultrasound imaging units weighing upto several hundred kilograms were available only in hospitals and specialty clinics necessitating a doctor’s referral for the patient to undergo a scan, further delaying the diagnosis.

GE Healthcare, has developed a portable, pocket-sized ultrasound device called Vscan, which is roughly the size of a smartphone, weighs 390 gms and has the look and feel of an iPod. It switches on automatically on being flipped open and the menu option allows the physician to select a preset choice of cardiac, abdominal or obstetric scans. Capable of scanning upto 30 patients with its one hour battery power backup the Vscan can be re-charged in 10 minutes. Physicians can store patient images with its 4GB memory card expandable upto 32 GB. The high image quality combined with a simple, intuitive user interface, very much like an iPod, can be controlled using the thumb. Using a dial key interface, physicians can zoom images in and out, pan left and right for analysis. Clinicians can store images, add voice comments and the docking station plus cable link helps the transfer of data to a PC for organizing or sharing with experts through e-mail or internet.

“Currently, we can send images from the scene of the accident or from a patient in the village via a mobile phone to the mobile phone of an emergency care physician in the nearest hospital” said S Ganesh Prasad, Director, Ultrasound Business, GE Healthcare South Asia. Earlier only radiologists could use ultrasound systems, now every doctor can use it in an ambulance, operation theatre, pathology lab, emergency room etc. We hope that in the near future, Vscan will replace the stethoscope which most doctors use today for preliminary screening of patients, added Prasad. The Vscan can detect and diagnose gall bladder and kidney stones, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, fluid in the abdominal cavity, blood flow in the heart and liver, heart valve function and many other possible abnormalities.

Priced at Rs 5 lakh per unit, 17 units of the Vscan have been sold in India. Narayana Hrudayalaya has bought 2 units and Manipal Hospital uses it for its rural outreach, cardiac screening programme. The 18-month feasibility study leading to the design and development of the Vscan by GE scientists in Norway was done in India. The Vscan can be purchased only by hospitals, centres and practitioners who are registered with PNDT authorities and have the license to use ultrasound imaging devices.

DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/pocket-sized-device-can-diagnose-your-health-issues-578)

Cipla entered into a deal to invest about Rs 50 crore in the Manipal Group-promoted Stempeutics Research to access stem cell-based therapies. (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cipla-to-invest-rs-1000-cr-in-near-future-to-acquire-meditab-specialities/405876/)
Bangarpet: Hospital in need of surgery (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/90536/hospital-need-surgery.html)

Columbia Asia opens comprehensive stroke unit at its referral centre in Yeshwanthpur

Monday, September 13, 2010 15:15 IST
Our Bureau, Bangalore

Columbia Asia Referral Hospital-Yeshwanthpur has opened an acute stroke unit and awareness campaign to control the fatal cases.

Strokes are the leading cause of mortality in India and represent 1.2 per cent of total deaths. Age adjusted stroke prevalence in the last decade has been around 250-350 in 1, 00,000 population. Going by the increasing incidence of stroke, the unit caters to medical issues related to stroke and other similar conditions.

The unit was inaugurated by Karnataka Lokayukta, Justice Santosh Hegde. The facility has a panel doctors including Dr Prabhakar Shetty, Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Cardiology, Dr Guruprasad, Consultant Neurologist, and Dr Arjun Srivastav, Consultant Neuro Surgeon. Also involved in this programme were Dr Radha Murthy, Managing Trustee, Nightingales Medical Trust and Dr Nandakumar Jairam, Chairman and Group Medical Director, Columbia Asia Hospitals.

“A stroke if prevented or at least identified and treated appropriately and early can make a big difference in the patient’s life. This is currently inadequately available and hence we have decided to start such a programme”, stated Dr Jairam.

A stroke can attack a patient physically, mentally and emotionally. Columbia Asia Acute stroke unit is designed to address all these areas, giving comprehensive solutions to medical complexities that may arise due to stroke (brain attack). “This new unit will serve as a breakthrough, and the technology employed, will extend a holistic approach to the management of acute stroke. This unit is well-equipped with devices like the Penumbra System, that if used by itself or in conjunction with other devices and drugs helps achieve the best results and makes for the better management of stroke cases,” he added.

source (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=57341&sectionid=)

* Chief Minister promises better medical facilities for poor people in the districts
* Chitradurga to be declared Science City
* Rs. 300 crore to be allocated to promote organic farming

Riding high:Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa waving to the public during his visit to Mastsamudra village in Challakere taluk of Chitradurga district on Thursday.

Matsamudra (Chitradurga disttict): Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that a branch of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology will be opened in Chitradurga to help poor people avail themselves of treatment for heart ailments in the district itself.

Inaugurating an interaction programme with farmers of organic farming, organised by the Karnataka Krishi Mission here on Thursday, he said it had been noticed that many poor people of the district found it hard to visit Bangalore for the ailments related to heart.

“The Government wishes to provide better medical facilities for the people of the district to ensure that they do not travel to far off places to get treatment for their heart problems,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

On the occasion, he announced the setting up of Dry Land Research Centre in Challakere taluk of the district for improving the dry land for higher agricultural productivity. On the long-pending demand of constructing a barrage across Vedavati river to provide irrigation and drinking water facility to the people of Challakere and Hiriyur taluks, he promised to get a financial approval for the project.

The Chief Minister promised to get the Ranikere feeder channel built to help some 60 village of Challakere taluk get drinking water and irrigation facilities.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said that considering that premier science institutes were coming to Chitradurga district, the Government was planning to the declare Chitradurga as Science City.

“Prestigious institutes such as the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) and Bhabha Atomic Centre are opening up their branches in the district, thus is suitable to declare the district as Science City,” he said.

On the ongoing works of Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project, he said that the works of Phase-1 and Phase-2 were under way for which Rs. 180 crore had been spent. The tender process had been finalised for the Phase-3, work on which would begin soon, he said.

“The Government is committed to completing the ambitious Rs. 5,000-crore project within the next three years,” Mr. Yeddyurappa said.

With regard to the organic farming, he assured to augment the funds to Rs. 300 crore next year to promote organic farming in the State.

He claimed that even a developed country like China felt the need to adopt organic farming for better yield.

“This was said by the Chinese agriculture experts during my recent visit to China. They feel that organic farming can not only increase agricultural productivity but also make the crop chemical-free,” he said.

Earlier, he arrived in a bullock cart from the house of organic farmer Chennabasappa to the venue. He also had lunch at the house of Mr. Chennabasappa.

The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/01/stories/2010100151140300.htm)

Earth Hospitals to invest Rs.15 cr for expanding chain in Karnataka, scouts for VC, PE funds

Saturday, October 09, 2010 08:00 IST
Nandita Vijay, Bangalore

Earth Hospital Group, a chain of multi-specialty ayurvedic hospitals has set apart an investment of Rs.15 crore to set up 50 centres across Karnataka. The funds will be raised through internal accruals. The Group is also scouting for investments from venture capital and private equity for its pan India expansion.

Plans are to expand its chain, primarily through the franchise route. It has now appointed a super franchise for Karnataka at Bangalore which will be the focal point for initiation of branches for further expansion in the state.

Currently it is Karnataka’s largest multi-specialty Ayurvedic hospital focusing on preventive and curative treatment for chronic and lifestyle diseases. For the recently commissioned hospital in Bangalore it invested Rs.1.5 crore. This takes its total number of hospitals in Karnataka to four. Three centres in Karnataka are at Tumkur, Udupi and Mangalore. Two other hospitals are at Kottayam and Hyderabad. The group which now has six hospitals plans to start one each at Mysore, Hubli and Mandya next year.

Earth Hospital Group was founded in 2001 by Dr. Anish M Kurias who hails from a family of Ayurveda acharyas practicing Ayurveda since 1870 in Kerala. The group hails from the traditional 'Kurias Visha-Vaidya' family having knowledge passed on for five generations and recognized for quality treatment adhering to principles of the ayurvedic science.

“Karnataka is an emerging healthcare and medical tourism hub. Now that we have a super franchise in place for the state we look forward to grow our presence faster. In the next two months, we hope to see a fund infusion from potential investors,” stated Dr Anish M Kurias, chairman, Earth Hospital Group.

“We have chalked an expansion plan to add on 50 centres. An in-house survey has ascertained the demand for the Indian System of Medicine particularly ayurveda,” he added.

The hospital, provides out-patient and in-patient ayurvedic medical services, including diagnosis and cure for serious medical conditions, under one single roof. These include cardiac disordeRs.skin disordeRs.diabetes, degenerative joints, disorders of the head and neck, besides preventive, wellness packages for lifestyle disorders such as infertility, job hazards, obesity, computer vision syndrome, skin nourishment and memory fitness among otheRs.The facility will offer ‘monomedi’, a onetime ayurvedic remedy for migraine, running nose and arthritis.

Dr K S Chaithanya, managing director, Super Franchise for Karnataka, said, “Opening of the hospital in Bangalore marks the fiRs.major milestone in our partnership and we look forward to opening 20 similar hospitals across the state in the next two years.”

Source (http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=57750&sectionid=)

Rs. 1,600 crore sanctioned to State for upgrading ESIC hospitals, says Kharge

Special Correspondent

The Union Minister inaugurates model hospital at Rajajinagar in Bangalore

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/14/images/2010111460330401.jpg
new look:The ESIC Hospital that was inaugurated in Bangalore on Saturday.

BANGALORE: Union Minister for Labour and Employment M. Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) had sanctioned Rs. 1,600 crore to the State towards renovation and upgrading ESIC hospitals and opening medical and nursing colleges.

Mr. Kharge, who inaugurated a ESIC model hospital (Rs. 110 crore) at Rajajinagar here, said the corporation sanctioned funds for renovation and modernisation of the hospitals at Peenya (Rs. 98 crore) in the city, in Hubli (Rs. 21 crore), in Mysore (Rs 25 crore), Davangere (Rs. 22 crore), Gulbarga (Rs. 79 crore), opening a nursing college at Indiranagar (Rs. 77 crore) here, and renovation and modernisation of the second phase of the hospital at Rajajinagar (Rs. 238 crore).

The first phase of modernisation of the hospital at Rajajinagar had been completed in two years.The second phase would be completed in a year.

The corporation would spend Rs. 700 crore in Bangalore alone for upgrading and modernising hospitals and offering medical facilities for the unorganised sector employees. But shortage of staff had affected delivery of services in the State Government-run ESIC hospitals, he said.

Wage ceiling

The ESIC had enhanced the wage ceiling from Rs. 10,000 per month to Rs. 15,000 and this had helped the corporation provide a social security net to more employees of the organised sector, he added.

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (national health insurance programme) being implemented in Belgaum, Gulbarga, Mysore, Dakshina Kannada and Bangalore Rural districts would be extended to all districts.

The scheme envisages cashless health insurance cover up to Rs. 30,000 a year on hospitalisation to a BPL family (a unit of five) in the unorganised sector. The premium is shared by the Centre and the State in the ratio of 75:25. The progress of implementation of the scheme, which was launched in 2008, was slow in the State.

The Government should contribute its share of funds and make efforts to provide medical services to the deserving poor, he said.

Skill development

Stating that the Centre had sanctioned two skill development centres (Rs. 50 crore each) to Bangalore and Gulbarga, the Minister pointed out that the State Government had not even identified land for the project in Bangalore, and the land was yet to be handed over to the department in Gulbarga, he said.

Salary raised

Minister for Labour B.N. Bache Gowda said the salary of specialists and super-specialists had been increased to Rs. 45,000 and Rs. 55,000 respectively.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S. Suresh Kumar, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K. Rahman Khan, Bangalore Mayor S.K. Nataraj, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Motamma spoke.
The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/14/stories/2010111460330400.htm)

Bangalore, Dec 10 (IANS) Global chip maker Intel has initiated a joint telemedicine programme to take benefits of healthcare to rural Karnataka in association with the state government, a senior company official said Friday.

'We have provided IT infrastructure and offsite technical resources at the Angodu primary healthcare centre and Harihara taluk hospital in Davangere district to bring healthcare benefits to the rural population through telemedicine,' Intel South Asia director Gopal Swaminathan said in a statement here.

State-run Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) pioneered telemedicine facility in 2001 to deliver healthcare services in remote, distant and under-served regions across the country using its communications satellite transponders and IT with biomedical engineering and medical sciences.

Indian IT bellwether Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and S.N. Informatics Ltd have also joined Intel to enhance the scope of clinical diagnostics.

'As part of our initiative to bring the benefit of technology to rural people, we have invested our resources in the healthcare project to change people's lives through technology,' Swaminathan said.

Using telemedicine, Intel has been able to transmit a patient's medical records, including images, to doctors at Narayana Hrudayalaya on the outskirts of Bangalore for investigations by its cardiac surgeons and other specialists.

Telemedicine allows transmission of services, including diagnosis and consultation remotely. Doctors and physicians from cities and towns can connect to healthcare centers in remote areas through a networked environment that makes patient data available online through interactive audio and video facilities.

'Our novel initiative aims at bringing the latest developments in medicine to remote villages and towns across the country,' Swaminathan noted.

The Intel project has helped the rural hospitals in Davangere, about 260 km from Bangalore, to save many lives and avoid patients from travelling far distances for diagnosing their ailments or illness.

'Rural people have access to the ECG (electrocardiogram) scan facility in the hospital free of cost. Anyone found suffering from serious ailment or illness goes through the ECG scan and its report is referred online to expert doctors at Hrudayalaya for treatment,' Harihara taluk hospital medical officer S. Asha said.

The telemedicine project has the potential to provide specialised healthcare to millions of people in the countryside economically and pave the way for improving health standards of the rural population.

Source (http://sify.com/finance/intel-helping-healthcare-reach-rural-karnataka-news-default-kmkwEpicbac.html)

The Motherhood hospital will soon start the operations near Indiranagar, Bangalore. It will be a 50 bed hospital.They have plan to start a network of hospitals in India.
LInk

http://motherhoodindia.com/

Govt health scheme boon for 25,144 families in DK (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/128752/govt-health-scheme-boon-25144.html)
Akshatha M Mangalore, Jan 12, DHNS

Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, the scheme introduced by the Central government in February, 2010, to provide free health insurance to the BPL families, has brought smiles on the faces of 25,144 families in the district.

With the renewal of the scheme in the month of March, few more families in the district can look forward to get benefit out of the scheme.

The scheme was introduced on a pilot basis in five districts of the State namely, Dakshina Kannada, Mysore, Belgaum, Bangalore Rural and Shimoga districts. The BPL families recognised in the all family census conducted by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department in the year 2002 were included in the scheme’s beneficiaries list and were allotted with bio-metric smart card, on one card to one family basis.

A maximum five members of a family can be benefitted from the scheme and health insurance is available up to Rs 30,000 in a year from National Insurance Company Ltd.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Assistant Labour Commissioner Venkatesh Shindhihatti informed that as many as 73,881 members of 25,144 families in the district have enrolled their names in the insurance scheme. Though there is a privilege for including five members of a family under the scheme, on an average three members per family have been covered in the district. As on December 31, as many as 1,620 in DK have been benefitted from the scheme and a sum of Rs 1,07,98,799 has been claimed from the beneficiaries which is the highest overall amount to be claimed among all five districts, said Venkatesh.

Hospitals’ role

The prescribed 30 hospitals in the district (13 government and 17 private hospitals) have been rendering service to the scheme beneficiaries at a reasonable rate. A list of 70 health anomalies have been made which come under the purview of the scheme.

As per the scheme regulations, the scheme is applicable only to the in-patients. According to Venkatesh, the scheme is of utmost advantage to the BPL families for whom to avail good medical facility is otherwise a distant dream.

“Under the scheme, the government has fixed certain amount for the treatment of each health anomaly (the amount differs for each disorder), which is strictly followed by the 30 hospitals. The scheme is a boon to the poor families, as the hospitals have been curtailed from charging erroneous hospital/medical bills to the BPL families,” observes Venkatesh.

A kiosk has been opened in the Labour Department to hear the grievance and deliver required information to the beneficiaries.

“We used to receive numerous grievances initially as the beneficiaries were complaining against the hospitals for their cold response. With the passing days, there is a considerable reduction in the complaints, as we don’t receive more than three or four calls in a month,” informed Venkatesh.

Following the success of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana in five districts, there are all possibilities of the government introducing the scheme in other districts too in the month of March, he said.



ASHAs do a commendable job

ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activist) are playing a commendable role in the success of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. These health activists have been trained to guide the rural BPL families to avail the benefits of the scheme and they already hold the credit of arranging more than 30 camps in this regard.

http://piczasso.com/i/030gn.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.com/)
Udayavani

A subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare has entered into an agreement with Cauvery Hospital, Mysore to set up, operate and manage a cardiac centre in the hospital.

The company said that the move is in line with its corporate strategy to expand its reach and provide quality healthcare services in the tier II and III cities of India.

Dr Llyod Nazareth, COO, Fortis Hospitals said, “With this addiciton of cardiac program at Cauvery Hospital, we believe the hospital will be able to provide comprehensive medical care services to the populace of Mysore and its adjoining areas.”

Fortis said that the company will continue to leverage its experience to ensure deployment of best suited technology, talent and processes at the hospital.

With this, the Fortis network has expanded to a total of 54 hospitals with over 8,000 beds in 13 states of India.

Cauvery is a 135 bed hospital with orthopaedics and general surgery as its main specialities.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/fortis-to-open-cardiac-centre-in-cauvery-hospital/126467/on)

KHARGE LAUNCHES MODERNISATION OF ESI HOSPITAL IN CITY


http://www.starofmysore.com/image.asp?slno=27492&type=news
Mysore, Feb. 19 (RK& DM)-Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge laid the foundation for the modernisation of ESI hospital located on KRS Road here this morning.[See photo on page 4]

District In-Charge Minister S.A. Ramdas, MPs H. Viswanath and R. Dhru-vanarayan, MLAs Chikkanna and Tanveer Sait, MLC G. Madhusudan, KPCC President Dr. G. Parameshwar, Dy. Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath, Corporators P.R. Parvathi & Girish Prasad, Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Director-General Dr. C.S. Kedar, ESIC State Medical Commissioner Dr. B.R. Kavi Shetty and ESI Hospital-Mysore Medical Superintendent Dr. M.R. Jagannath were present on the occasion.

ESI Hospital, Mysore, is a 100-bedded hospital with 2.50 lakh beneficiaries. Some of the features incorporated in the modernisation includes well-equipped Emergency Trauma Centre, modular O.T. Complex, modern ICU, advanced Laboratories, Blood Bank, etc. The hospital modernisation is a Rs. 25 crore-project, funded by Central and State Governments.

Falcon Tyres: Falcon Tyres Badali Workers Association presented a memorandum to Khar-ge urging for immediate regularisation of their services.

SOM

Karnataka govt hikes budget allocation for health & family welfare to Rs.2,428 cr (http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=61546&sid=2)

Our Bureau, Bangalore
Thursday, February 24, 2011, 17:20 Hrs [IST]

Karnataka government has increased its outlay of Rs.2,428 crore in 2011-12 for the Dept of Health and Family Welfare from Rs.1,935 crore in 2010-11.

In the budget presentation made by chief minister BS Yeddyurappa announced a slew of schemes. These include an allocation of Rs.2 crore for treatment of opportunistic infections of all HIV infected persons in high prevalent districts of Bagalkot, Bijapur and Belgaum, and all the HIV infected children in the State.

The Arogyabandhu Scheme of the Dept of Health & Family Welfare, which covered a total of 56 Primary Health Centres in the State is being managed by various organizations under public private partnership and now the government has further extended to all urban and rural areas of the State, giving priority to the experienced and specialized institutions so that medical assistance can be provided to the people.

On the medical education front, the outlay has been increased from Rs.723 crore in 2010-11 to Rs.826 crore in 2011-12.

The government has announced a total annual intake of undergraduate courses in four government medical colleges at Bangalore, Mysore, Bellary and Hubli have been increased from 500 to 800 seats. Simultaneously proposal is also being made to the Medical Council of India for increasing the number of PG seats. With these additional seats, along with the 600 MBBS seats in the newly started six government medical colleges, the availability of qualified medical doctors will increase considerably.

An amount of Rs.5 crore will be provided to upgrade the Rajiv Gandhi Chest Institute as a national institute. To provide specialized health care services to senior citizens and to take up research activities a ‘Geriatric Institute’ at an estimate of Rs.5 crore would be established in the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Chest Institute.

Karnataka Institute of diabetology is developing as a unique centre for comprehensive treatment and care of diabetic people. An amount of Rs.5 crore will be provided for strengthening the institute.

For upgradation of Dharwad Mental Health and Neuro Sciences Institute, Rs.5 crore would be provided.

The Hrudaya Sanjeevani Scheme which is is being implemented successfully by Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, had 992 poor patients been treated. An amount of Rs.5 crore will be provided to continue this scheme.

The state government has set-aside an amount of Rs.25 crore to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli.

Under the Ayush category, following the success of the World Ayurveda Conference held in Bangalore, the government with a view to encourage study of Ayurveda, has proposed to start an Ayurveda college, Shimoga in 2011-12 for which it has allocated an amount of Rs.10 crore.

During 2010-11, more than 45,000 patients were treated in Ayush hospitals and clinics. In all district hospitals Ayush units would be started. For this purpose Rs.5 crore would be provided. In Ayush hospitals and in other places, Wellness Centres would be established on public private partnership basis.

In order to provide preventive, holistic and lifestyle management practices, a new scheme called ‘Ayush Grama’ would be taken up on PPP model in one Gram Panchayat each in 10 taluks on pilot basis.

Bangalore, March 28, DHNS :

A new operation theatre complex and dental clinic were inaugurated at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research on Monday.

The new facility increases the number of total operation theatres in the hospital to seven. The complex has three operation theatres, two specifically for open heart surgeries and the third for vascular surgeries.

Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas, who inaugurated the complex said the AICTE pay scale for doctors would come into effect from April.

Institute director Dr Manjunath said with the new facility, 16 open heart surgeries can be performed per day. Twelve surgeries are being performed per day as of now.

The Rs five-crore complex also houses a tissue valve bank and heart transplantation unit. The bank will harvest valves from cadavers available at Victoria Hospital.

Dr Manjunath said it was mandatory to undergo a dental check-up before undergoing open heart surgery, for any dental infection would lead to a condition called endocarditis.
DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/149650/ot-complex-jayadeva.html)

The foundation stone for the new premises of Lady Goschen Hospital will be laid by chief minister Yeddyurappa at noon on Saturday, April 16.

This was announced at a media meet addressed by Mangalore south MLA and deputry speaker of assembly N Yogish Bhat on Friday.

The construction of the new premises is being funded entirely by Andhra Pradesh entrepreneur K R Raghava Naidu's K R Keerthi Foundation Trust, set up in memory of his late daughter K R Keerthi.http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp29/20110415lg-6.JPG
The new premises would cost Rs 18 crore. The hospital would be upgraded from its present 260-bed capacity to 500-bed status. It will be equipped with advanced technology and facilities.

Bhat said that the new facilities to be made available in the hospital would include a well-equipped laboratory with experienced staff, blood bank, intensive care unit, operation theatre, delivery room, general and special wards, store-room for medicine, pharmacy, well-equipped class-rooms and staff room etc. Besides a proper drainage system and round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply and soundless generator will also be provided, he said.

Zilla Panchayat president Shailaja KT, BJP district president Padmanabha Kottary, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, CEO Sanjeeva Matandoor and others were present at the media meet
Mangalorean (http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=232860)

Synefra bags EPC contract for hospital in Dharwad (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-7254-synefra_bags_epc_contract_for_hospital_in_dharwad/)


Pune-based Synefra Engineering & Construction Ltd, a Tanti Group Company, has bagged a major EPC order to construct a super specialty hospital in Dharwad, South India. The project is to be completed in 17 calendar months (by August 2012). Valued at Rs21.05 crore, the project would cover civil, structural and architectural work.

Awarded by Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Medical Sciences & Hospital, the contract involves construction of a 350 bed hospital with a total built up area of 3,25,000 sqft which will offer super-specialty services in the disciplines of Cardiology, Cardio Thoracic Surgery, Neurology, Neuro Surgery and Plastic Surgery to the population of Hubli-Dharwad and surrounding areas.

Sanjeev Nakhasi, Vice President -Operations, Synefra E&C, said, “This project will provide us an opportunity to demonstrate our skills for highly specialized requirements at this Super specialty hospital. Synefra shall deploy cost effective measures and efficient technologies, state of the art tools & machinery apart from skilled resources to complete the project on time. We are confident to attract more such projects in South India in near future.”

The building when completed will accommodate eight spacious operation theatres conforming to the modern principles of hospital planning; 100 intensive care beds to provide care for the patients admitted under the above specialties; three well designed cardiac catheterization labs; inpatient wards in combination of suite rooms, special rooms and general wards. An auditorium with 250 seating capacity and four classrooms with seating of 60 each have been included in the hospital building to support the academic activities of the institution.

Multi-speciality cardiac care unit ready (http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/11/stories/2011051159740300.htm)

Shimoga: Nanjappa Hospital has established Nanjappa Life Care, a multi-speciality cardiac care unit in Gadikoppa near the city.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would inaugurate the new cardiac care unit on May 12 at 3 p.m.

Programme

Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamiji of Taralabalu Math, Davangere MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa, Dr. Vivek Javali of Fortis Hospital, Bangalore; and paediatrician D.G. Benakappa are expected to take part in the programme.

Mr. Benakappa, Managing Trustee of Nanjappa Group, told presspersons here on Tuesday said that the specialised treatment would be offered at an affordable price at the hospital.

Under one roof

Cardiology and cardiac surgery would be provided under one roof .

Nanjappa Life Care would offer comprehensive therapeutic facilities to help cardiac patients who require intervention and procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention, bypass surgery, valve replacements, electrophysiology procedures, pacemaker implantation, interventional, and surgical procedures for congenital heart disease, he said.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/05/13/20110513x_003100002.jpg

Dr Batra's to open 300 clinics in next 3 years (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/dr-batras-to-open-300-clinics-in-next-3-years/135756/on)

As part of its expansion plans, DBPHCPL will be opening new clinics this year in Mysore, Kodagu, Jammu, Jodhpur, Nasik, Puducherry, Bubaneshwar besides in metro and major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/06/04/20110604aE007100007.jpg

VET AMBULANCE FOR 174 TALUKS

Mysore, June 10 (KMC&RK)- Veterinary ambulances, on the lines of 108 ambulances being operated by the Health Department, will be launched by the Animal Husbandry Department too in 174 taluks of the State simultaneously to provide immediate medical attention to the livestock, announced Animal Husbandry Minister Revu Nayak Belamagi.

Speaking to press persons after convening a combined progress review meeting of the Departments of Animal Husbandry and Libraries of Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts at the DC's office here this morning, the Minister said that after the experimental launch of veterinary ambulances, Task Forces will be constituted at the taluk level. Listing out the development works taken up by Animal Husbandry Department, the Minister said that a sum of Rs. One crore was earmarked to encourage 'organic milk' producers. The government is also giving an incentive of Rs. 2 per litre of milk to the producers amounting to Rs. 616 crore, benefiting 4.41 lakh families in the State, he said.

Under the Amrutha Scheme, a sum of Rs. 33.69 crore was spent last year, benefiting 31,421 families, he added.

The Minister also said that bank loans at low interest rate of 6% for purchasing milch-cows and goats or sheep was provided to 26,000 families last year.

Financial aid of Rs. 10 crore has been provided to 7,050 sheep breeders through the Sheep and Wool Development Corporation of Karnataka, Belamagi said adding that out of the Rs. 542 crore budgetary allocation made for the Department for the financial year 2010-11, a total of Rs. 527 crore has been spent so far on various development works.

SOM (http://www.starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=news&item=28601)

RSBY extended to all of State
Bangalore, July 1, DHNS: (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/173108/rsby-extended-all-state.html)

The Rashtriya Swasthya Bhima Yojna (RSBY), the central health insurance scheme for working class families below poverty line (BPL) has been extended to all the districts of the State, by including street vendors, domestic help and beedi workers.

Making the announcement at the State level workshop on RSBY here on Friday, Union Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge said that though there was a delay in launching the scheme in Karnataka, the State had done well.

“The RSBY has been appreciated in the G20 Employment and Labour Ministers meeting and many countries including Bangladesh, Maldives, Ghana and Nigeria have come forward to replicate the scheme in their countries,” he said. Even the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has listed the RSBY as one of the top 18 schemes for the labourers.

The minister said that shortly the scheme will be extended to autorickshaw drivers, taxi drivers, rag pickers and sanitation workers in the unorganised sector, he added.
Kharge said nearly Rs 800 crore available under the building and construction workers’ welfare fund has not been utilised.

He said that the funds can be used for labourers’ children. They can be identified and can be given skill-based and employment-based training which would help them in their future.

The objective of RSBY is to provide protection to BPL households from financial liabilities arising out of health problems that involve hospitalization. Beneficiaries under RSBY are entitled to hospitalisation coverage up to Rs 30,000 for most of the diseases that require hospitalisation.

The Government has even fixed the package rates for the hospitals for a large number of interventions.

Pre-existing conditions are covered from day one and there is no age limit. Coverage extends to five members of the family which includes the head of the family, spouse and up to three dependents. Beneficiaries need to pay only Rs 30 as registration fee and the Central and the State Government pay the premium to the insurer selected by the State Government on the basis of a competitive bidding.

As on Friday, 23,632,866 cards have been issued and the total hospitalisation cases were 1,982,346.

Vajpayee Arogyashree in B’lore, Mysore soon
Bangalore, July 1, DHNS: (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/173106/vajpayee-arogyashree-blore-mysore-soon.html)

The Vajpayee Arogyashree health insurance scheme for providing super-speciality treatment to poor people achieved a milestone recently when it registered its 10,000th beneficiary.

Health Minister B Sriramulu visited the 10,000th beneficiary, seven-year-old Sudeep Singh, at the Bangalore Cancer Hospital on Friday. Singh, hailing from Jewargi in Gulbarga, came to the hospital three months ago after being diagnosed with leukemia. Doctors said he was showing improvement following treatment.

The Minister told reporters that the scheme would be extended to Bangalore and Mysore divisions. The matter would be taken up in the next cabinet meeting, he said. Currently, the scheme is being implemented only in Gulbarga and Belgaum divisions, comprising six and seven districts respectively.

The scheme, which has 117 empanelled hospitals, has benefited 10,274 people till now, with the department spending close to Rs 61 crore. Responding to a question regarding the alleged medical negligence case in Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore last year, he said a task force had been set up and investigation was on. He refused to divulge details as the matter was sub-judice.

Mangalore, Jul 10: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) Hospital will offer a special screening camp for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from July 11 to August 31. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints.

The screening package will be available at a discounted charge of Rs 1350 which includes examinations like Complete Blood Count, ESR, CRP, SGPT, Serum Creatinine, Random Blood Sugar, TSH, Rheumatoid Factor, and Serum Uric Acid. The package also includes Diet Counseling and Consultation with Rheumatologist.

Dr Pradeep Kumar Shenoy, consultant rheumatologist at KMC hospital advised people suffering from suffering from joint pain, early morning stiffness in the joints, joint swelling or joint cracking when moving can go for the tests.

Dr Anand Venugopal, deputy medical superintendent said that one should not ignore the early signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis and should treat the disease at the earliest stage.

Autoimmune diseases occur when body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Immune system contains special cells called antibodies which normally seeks and destroys invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with the disease have antibodies in their body which attack their own tissues, which can affect multiple organs. RA is a systematic illness and is sometimes called rheumatoid disease.
http://www.daijiworld.com/images/daijiworld_logo.jpg (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=107704&n_tit=Mangalore%3A+KMC+Hospital+Launches+Rheumatology+Clinic)

Kalghatgi gets a 100-bed hospital


Government is committed to improving access to healthcare: Sriramulu
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New facility:Health Minister B. Sriramulu and district-in-charge Minister Jagadish Shettar at the inauguration of the 100-bed hospital in Kalghatgi, near Hubli, on Saturday.
Health Minister B. Sriramulu on Saturday dedicated a 100-bed hospital built at a cost of Rs. 2.75 crore to the people of Kalghatgi taluk.

Speaking after inaugurating the hospital, the Minister said that the State Government was committed to improving access to healthcare.

Mr. Sriramulu said that 250 beneficiaries from the district had been provided medical treatment under the Vajapayee Arogyasri scheme at a cost of Rs. 2.5 crore.

He said that so far, 6 crore calls had been made to 108, the emergency medical care service and around 10 lakh people had received treatment.

Service in rural areas

Mr. Sriramulu said that service in rural areas had been made mandatory for MBBS students.

He said that the medical degree of those who failed to serve in rural areas would be cancelled.

Requirement

He said there was a requirement for 850 specialist doctors in government hospitals. At present, steps were being taken to recruit 600 specialists.

He added that steps would be taken to appoint specialist doctors to Dharwad district at the earliest.

District-in-charge Minister Jagadish Shettar said that all stakeholders should take responsibility and ensure that government hospitals provided better healthcare.

Pralhad Joshi, MP, said there was a need to increase the salaries of government doctors. Doctors working in private hospitals were offered more. Because of this not many doctors were willing to work in government hospitals. Presiding over the function, Santhosh Lad, Kalaghatagi MLA, urged the Minister to take steps to set up primary health centres in Tabakada Honnalli and Nigadi in the taluk.

He pointed out that though he had taken steps to drill borewells in many places, the authorities were yet to provide electricity connection.

MLAs Chandrakanth Bellad and S.I. Chikkanagoudar and MLCs Srinivas Mane and Mohan Limbikai were present.

Later, Mr. Sriramulu inaugurated the primary health centre at Sangameshwar village in the taluk.


Take responsibility and ensure that hospitals provide better healthcare, stakeholders told

There is a need to increase the salaries of government doctors: MP

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2215443.ece)

VIMS to be upgraded soon

Centre to grant Rs. 150 crore for the purpose: Director

B. Devanand, Director, Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), on Saturday, inaugurated the two-day “Surgi Quest”, the second edition of the annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme for doctors, particularly the postgraduates.

Commending the Department of Surgery at VIMS, the largest government medical college in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, for organising the CME programme for the second year in succession, Dr. Devanand said that the event would help the participants know about the latest developments in medical science and new techniques that had emerged in surgery.

Stating that the institute was being upgraded to provide the students with best possible facilities, Dr. Devanand said that the teaching hospital had been selected for further up-gradation under the Prime Minister's Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, which would make it comparable with the prestigious All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.

According to him, the institute was likely to receive a grant of about Rs. 150 crore from the Union Government, and Rs. 25 crore from the State Government. About 65 per cent of the grants would utilised for construction of buildings and 35 per cent for procuring latest equipment.

“A well-equipped operation theatre block will be established to mark the golden jubilee year of VIMS,” he said.

A detailed proposal had been forwarded to the Union Government on July 8, and a team was expected to visit the institution very soon for inspection before approving it and for release of grants. “We hope the work on this project will begin in about six months from now,” he said.

Surgeons from different parts of the country gave a power-point presentation on various aspects of surgery, including the latest techniques. About 100 postgraduates had participated in the programme.


Institute is said to be the largest government medical college in Hyderabad Karnataka region

A well-equipped operation theatre block planned to mark golden jubilee of the institution

Source (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2215208.ece)

Nandita Vijay, Bangalore
Tuesday, July 12, 2011, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE) launched the Manipal Vattikuti Institute of Robotic Surgery (MVIRS), at its flagship hospital in Bangalore. It is the first of its kind robotic facility in Karnataka with a Rs.10 crore technology initiative. The Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) will improve the quality of medical procedures and shorten patient’s recovery time in the hospital.

MHE has launched MVIRS in partnership with Vattikuti Foundation, USA which is an initiative by Raj and Padma Vattikuti. The Foundation is involved in empowering the rural population in India to achieve economic independence among other things.

The surgical technology will be used in operating rooms with applications in the specialties urology, gynaecology and oncology at the Manipal Hospital. This state-of- the-art surgical system is equipped with multiple robotic arms, tipped with precise instruments; the RAS will function as an extension of the surgeon's hands.

The robotic surgical system is designed to seamlessly replicate the movement of the surgeon's hands with the tips of micro-instruments. The system cannot make decisions on its own, nor can it perform any type of movement or maneuver, without the surgeon’s direct input, so at all times during the surgery, it is guided by the direct supervision of the surgeon.

The sophisticated robotic system is capable of expanding the operator’s surgical skills, allowing unmatched accuracy, vision and control. Furthermore, the surgeon can offer a minimally invasive option which is far more precise then conventional MIS.

On an average a patient undergoing a robotic assisted surgery will leave the hospital two to five days earlier as compared to patients who have undergone traditional surgery and return to work with normal activity 50% more quickly.

Additional benefits of the Robot Assisted Surgery are that it can reach where surgeons hands cannot and also allows 360 degree rotation, which is not humanly possible. Thus robots take surgery beyond the limits and reach of the human hand.

MHE has launched MVIRS in association with Vattikuti Technologies Pvt Ltd, a major global player in propagating the concept of ‘Minimally Invasive Research’ with a specific focus in robotic surgery.

According to Dr Ramdas Pai, chairman, Manipal Education and Medical Group, robotic surgery opens a new chapter in delivering quality healthcare for the convenience and enhanced clinical outcome for the community at large.

“RAS is a boon to the medical community, by raising the bar of surgical management at Manipal Hospital. This showcases our commitment to world-class healthcare,” stated Rajen Padukone, CEO, Manipal Health Enterprises.

“We will use RAS in a bid to benefit and save patients suffering from plethora of health problems. RAS can be used for many types of surgery, from oncology to urology. The major advantage of Robotics assisted surgery is that the incisions made are tiny so the recovery from surgery is extremely quick. Quick healing time is hallmark of this surgery,” informed Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, medical director, Manipal Health Enterprises.

Raj Vattikuti, founder and chairman of Vattikuti Foundation, said, “Our aim is to ensure that the best of the technology required in the treatment of patients is made available to the community at large.”

Pharmabiz (http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=63889&sid=1)

GSAT-12 to boost telemedicine services in state

With ISRO announcing the launch of GSAT12 on July 15, rural patients, who have been deprived of full fledged telemedicine services all these months, have much to look forward to, as the successful launch of this satellite would help them to get doctor's consultancy without traveling to the city. Even the hospitals which were using telemedicine in a limited way have lot of expectations from this launch.Dr Satish Chandra, Director, NIMHANS said, "Till now we have been providing consultancy for neurosurgery, neurology and psychairty, but after the launch, we are planing to begin telepathlogy and teleradiology services as well using good quality camera and other equipment to transpond the images."Last year, the failure of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLVF06, carrying India's communication satellite GSAT5P had crashed the hope of enhanced delivery of telecommunication services in the district hospitals across the state. The tele-medicine services in various government hospitals was hampered by the failure making it difficult for the patients to avail telemedicine facilities in the remote Areas. Now, as the countdown begins, many hospitals which were only providing consultancy to few districts and few specialties will be able to extend their services across the state."Giving boost to telemedicine services, it will help us to link neurosurgery, neurology and psychiatry services not only to Karnataka but country wide. We will be able to clearly read the CT scan, MRI reports and diagnosis and manage the disease," Dr Chandra added.The Bowring and Lady Curzon hospital, which is a nodal centre for telemedicine in the state was providing consultancy in few districts like Hassan, Dharwad, Gadag, Udapi and Mandya. Ever since the crash, the hospital was not receiving the signals."There will be a dedicated signal for telemedicine which we will be able to connect with the entire state in all 25 centres. Though, alternate methods like broadband are being used but this cannot give us high speed and better video conferencing with better clarity. The hospitals will be able to provide consultancy on major specialties," Dr Vani Ravi Kumar, Coordinator, Telemedicine services Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital said.

© IBNLIVE (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gsat12-to-boost-telemedicine-services-in-state/167512-60-115.html)

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Foundation stone laid for Health Institute

GULBARGA: Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Paramedical and Allied Health Sciences Institute of ESIC here on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Azad said that there are no dearth of funds and medicines in the country but the shortage of human resources and doctors was hurting them. To control this, he said, the Union government has increased the number of MBBS and MD seats considerably with the cooperation of Medical Council of India.

“There is a need of 10 lakh medical personnel in the country and ESIC is providing necessary help to solve this problem.” Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge said that the hospital would be the first of its kind in the country, equipped with all medicinal facilities.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/foundation-stone-laid-for-health-institute/169843-60-115.html

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Cardiac care to get sophisticated touch

MANGALORE: Come Saturday, cardiac care will go rural with a hi-tech touch courtesy, The International Association of Lion's Club, with the formal launch of Lion's Cardiac Centre at J S Hospital, Kotekar, near here. Lion's International District 324-D5 has entered in to a MoU with Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore. Any person suffering from heart problems can get themselves checked at J S Hospital and the ECG will be transferred to Bangalore.

Experts at Narayana Hrudayalaya, based on the ECG reports, will advise the patient regarding the future course of treatment. While the check-up is a free service, Narayana Hrudayalaya has offered to treat the patients at concessional rates. Lion's International District 324-D5 has drawn up plans to install three more such centres at Chikmagalur, Madikeri and Hassan during the Lionistic year 2011-12 with connectivity to Narayana Hrudayalaya.

P Kishore Rao, district governor-elect of Lion's International District 324-D5 told reporters here on Thursday that Nagaraj Rao, Lion's Multiple Council chairman will inaugurate the centre here to mark the installation of his district cabinet later that day. The problems faced by rural population is getting timely medical advise related to heart problems, Kishore said, adding that centre would strive to address this major lacunae in health delivery system.

It is left to the patient concerned to avail treatment at Narayana Hrudayalaya based on the treatment costs mentioned to them on their medical report, Kishore said. As and when the centres are set up in the other three revenue districts that comprise the Lion's International District 324-D5, Kishore said the voluntary service organization would provide with support staff to liaison with the centre, the patient and Narayana Hrudayalaya on a regular basis.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Cardiac-care-to-get-sophisticated-touch/articleshow/9576383.cms

Omega Healthcare Management Services Pvt Ltd, a healthcare BPO/KPO (business process outsourcing and knowledge process outsourcing) company, plans to invest nearly $2.5 million to ramp up its three facilities located in Tiruchirapalli, Bangalore and Chennai. It would also recruit over 1,000 employees by March 2012, taking the total strength to over 4,300.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, Gopi Natarajan, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, said of the 1,000 employees, 600 would be based out of Tiruchirapalli and the remaining would be distributed equally in the other two centres. The company had recently spent nearly $2.5 million to construct 17,500 sq. ft. facility in Tiruchirapalli to accommodate 800 employees in multiple shifts.

On setting up offices in Tier-II cities, he said these cities were 35-40 per cent cost-competitive when compared with Tier-I cities. Similarly, the employer's cost was also lower by 50 per cent. Mr. Natarajan said the company was both in voice and non-voice business. Nearly 67 per cent of its business came from non-voice business. With this expansion, he hoped to increase the voice-based business. It had 85 clients and of which five were hospitals and the rest were physicians and others. The company was providing medical coding, billing, accounts receivable management services, claims processing and health care revenue management services.

Courtesy:Indiaeveryday
http://www.indiaeveryday.in/karnataka/fullnews-omega-healthcare-to-ramp-up-facilities-1163-2923525.htm

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Govt plans to have control over pvt hospitals

MYSORE: The government is planning to reserve beds for the poor at private multi specialty hospitals.

Medical education minister S A Ramdas on Friday pointed at the lack of control over the private hospital and said they are bring in a legislation to protect the interest of the common man. According to him, the bill to deal with the private hospitals is ready. The aim is to have a control over the private players in health sector, he said inaugurating new facilities at the Mysore unit of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Science and Research.

He said the bill mandates 33% of the beds be reserved for the poor and the treatment extended to them at affordable cost. The private hospitals are charging exorbitantly, which the government is not able to control, he stated adding necessary clearances are through to put in place the new rules.

Referring to lack of space to extend the Krishnarajendra Hospital, he said: "The space next to Mysore Medical College and Research Institute will be utilized to extend health care. A cancer treatment centre will be set up too."

Director of Sri Jayadeva institute of cardiovascular science and research Dr C N Manjunath said the government has allotted 15 acres at P K Sanatorium where they will move after constructing cardio hospital, which, he said, will be a multi-specialty unit. The Mysore unit has attended to 25,000 outpatients and 4,000 inpatients in a year and has conducted over 2,000 angiogram surgeries.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Govt-plans-to-have-control-over-pvt-hospitals/articleshow/9927233.cms

Karnataka Drug Dept seizes 6 not-of-standard drugs from pharmacy outlets (http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=65611&sid=1)

Karnataka Drugs Control Department has conducted surprise raids on some of the pharmacy outlets to seize six not of standard quality drugs. The inspections, part of the department’s routine actions, were carried out for a period of 15 days spanning September 16-30, 2011. The drugs were tested at the department’s Drug Test Lab to ascertain the contents of the drug and its quality. The companies engaged in the production of these drugs have now been issued warning notices to rectify the manufacturing processes.

The six drugs seized are Sulphadimidine injection B Vet C manufactured by Modern Laboratories at Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The second drug is Sulide –P which is a nimesulide with paracetamol tablets manufactured by Tacia Labs at Pondicherry. The third is rabeprazole and domperidone tablets sold under the brand name ‘Rizacid-D which is sold by Allen Smith Lab but manufactured at the Mission Laboratories at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. The fourth is Rosanta-40 pantoprazole sodium tablets manufactured by Ion Healthcare at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. The fifth is Oxytoxin injection manufactured by Daffodils Pharmaceuticals at Meerut and the sixth is Syntowin, Oxytocin injection manufactured by Win Drugs at Harayana.

According to Dr BR Jagashetty, Karnataka Drugs Controller there is need to test the drugs and the department has been engaged in this exercise to ensure that the end-user has access to quality drugs.

The department has also taken on the onus to warn the retail chemists and wholesalers not just across the state but those attached to hospitals to refrain from stocking these drugs. It has also alerted the public not to purchase these drugs and also the medical practitioners to ensure prescribing such formulations are avoided.

The state drugs control department has installed National Informatics Centre (NIC), software which would allow it keep tabs of manufacture and pharmacy outlets dealing with the drugs. The software is linking the entire state regulatory departments. Karnataka is the third state in the country after Gujarat and Maharashtra to install the NIC software.

Although the state drugs control authority has issued two circulars to this effect, warning the manufacturing companies not to manufacture and chemists not to stock and sell any of the banned drugs i.e. nimesulide, sibutrimine, R sibutrimine, cisapride, phenylpropanolamine and human placenta extracts published in the Govt. of India Gazette, it has commenced its surprise inspections in a few days to ascertain the extent of the warning notice.

Pharmabiz had earlier reported that extensive efforts are made to improve the infrastructure which includes new buildings for the drugs control department across the state. It covers the present offices in Mysore, Belgaum, Hubli, Bagalkot and Gulbarga. In addition, two drug test labs at Bellary and Hubli are also coming up. Further, at its headquarters in Bangalore a six storied enforcement wing and a Drug Test Lab are expected to be complete in 2012.

http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2011/11/14/20111114aC004100003.jpg

Karnataka govt to ensure 33% beds are reserved for the poor in private hospitals
Published: Friday, Nov 18, 2011 (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_karnataka-govt-to-ensure-33pct-beds-are-reserved-for-the-poor-in-private-hospitals_1614220)To ensure that the poor are able to avail treatment in private hospitals, 33% of beds there will be reserved for them.

“Although a provision for this already exists, it is not being followed. During the winter session, a bill will be passed to make sure that the rule is enforced,” said medical education minister SA Ramadas.He made this announcement while inaugurating the Rs1-crore Clinic Skills Centre at Bangalore Medical College and Research Centre (BMCRI) on Thursday.

But he did not spell out the eligibility criteria for the poor in availing treatment in private hospitals.

“Government hospitals should also be on par with private hospitals,” he said. All state hospitals—Victoria Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Minto Hospital and Bangalore Medical College—should be brought under one administration. There should also be a helpdesk at every hospital, he said.

A bill would be passed on starting a university for paramedics and nursing students in the winter session.
The Clinic Skills Centre opened on Thursday is meant to impart basic emergency and surgical skills that students need.
“I visited AIIMS, New Delhi, six months ago and wanted to replicate such a facility in the state. The skills centre is the first of its kind in Karnataka. There are only three to four such centres in the country,” he said.

On Thursday, two new outpatient departments (OPDs) costing Rs10.45 crore and Rs2 crore were thrown open at Victoria and Vani Vilas hospitals respectively.

Earlier, the minister made a surprise visit at nephrology department and found that wheelchairs were scarce. He said by next week, 25 new wheelchairs would be provided.

Dr OS Siddappa, dean and director of BMCRI, said the number of undergraduate seats has been increased from 150 to 250 from 2011. The number of PG seats was recently increased from 146 to 206.

“We are proposing to increase it by another 125 seats for 2013-14,” he said.

He said there was also a proposal to start five new courses, which include MD in geriatrics, medical genetics, nuclear medicine, rheumatology and hospital management.

For improving the infrastructure at BMCRI, Siddappa said they had asked for Rs40 crore for works in the administrative block, classrooms, auditorium and parking. They are expecting 25% of the funds from the state government and the rest from the Centre.
In place of the existing PG hostel at Royan Circle, a multi-storey hostel would be built for undergraduates, postgraduates, doctors and nurses.

A proposal has also been sent to start a central research laboratory at a cost of Rs29 crore. The Centre will fund this project. If the project materialises, it will be the first of its kind in Karnataka, he said.

In the meantime, government nurses made a request to the minister for regularisation of their contract. Currently, they are drawing a salary of Rs7,000 per month.

State hospitals to get more doctors

State National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) Director S. Selva Kumar on Saturday said the Government had approved the appointment of specialists, doctors, staff nurses and lab technicians to government hospitals and health centres on contract basis to overcome the shortage of manpower.

read more: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2664711.ece

S3V to set up a Rs 140 crore facility for medical devices

A start-up company S3V Vascular Technologies floated by four graduates of the Indian School of Business (ISB) today said it would set up a Rs 140 crore facility to develop products in Intervention Cardiology, Neurology, Peripheral and Endovascular treatments.

The facility being designed as per USFDA norms will be constructed on 15 acres of land either in Andhra Pradesh or Karnataka.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-12-06/news/30481844_1_isb-ajit-rangnekar-metal-stents

Kasturba and Manipal Hospital awarded AAHRPP accreditation

The Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, are the first Indian hospitals to be awarded accreditation by the Association for Accreditation for Human Research Protection Programme (AAHRPP).

read more:- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2708094.ece

Raise the alarm!

Only nine hospitals in the City have No Objection Certificate from the fire department

Looks like it. For, there are serious concerns about the safety measures in the hospitals here. Only nine out of 5,000 hospitals — government, private hospitals and clinics – in the City, have taken a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services Department (KF&ES).


List of hospitals in Bangalore, which have taken NOCs from KF&ES

1) Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research
2) Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
3) Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road
4) Narayana Hrudayalaya, Hosur Road.
5) Columbia Asia Hospital, Yeshwantpur
6) Narayana Nethralaya, Hosur Road
7) E S I Hospital, Rajajinagar
8) RV Dental College and Hospital, J P Nagar
9) Indus Westside Health Care Pvt Ltd, Jnanabharathi

read more:- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212903/raise-alarm.html

^^

Bangalore, Dec 18, DHNS:

* Surefire: Safety norms given a go by at government-run health facilities

A reality check at the understaffed government hospitals in the State has thrown up a startling revelation – their poor fire preparedness. Only three health facilities in the State have secured no objection certificate from the Fire and Emergency Services.

Gross Negligence: Recommendations of the Fire and Emergency Services are conveniently overlooked thus rendering the high-rises vulnerable for fire mishaps like the one that took 99 lives in AMRI Hospital in Kolkata. FILE?PHOTOPoor fire safety measures at hospitals became a matter of concern following the tragedy at AMRI Hospital in Kolkata in which 99 people perished. What is astonishing is that majority of the renowned hospitals in the State are functioning from buildings which have not been certified by the Fire department for safety measures. And the non-compliance is not because of absence of a legal framework, but for want of will to enforce the laws.

A no objection certificate has to be obtained from the Fire and Emergency Services before occupying/making use of a commercial building. The officials from the department conduct a spot inspection and suggest safety measures considering the purpose for which the building is used, its dimensions, the staff strength, the nearest approach road and its width etc. A total adherence to these suggestions could minimise, if not, avoid fire accidents.

However, many choose to bypass this crucial procedure before occupying buildings. The reason is not far to seek. The implementation of safety measures recommended by the department require investment of considerable money and no one is ready to do it, and the process is conveniently given a go by.

According to laws, the urban local bodies (corporation/City and town municipalities) should issue occupancy certificate before occupation of a newly constructed building. The local bodies should insist on a NoC from the Fire and Emergency Services before proceeding further. However, corruption and political interference side step all these norms, in the process turning the building vulnerable to fire emergencies. No wonder that only three hospitals – Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, ESI Hospital, both in Bangalore and the Government Medical College Hospital in Bidar – have complied with the norms.

The buildings housing Victoria, Bowring, Nimhans, Wenlock (Mangalore), hospitals visited by thousands of patients on a daily basis, are not certified by the Fire department. Only nine private hospitals have complied with the norm in the State.

Story on the other side

The Fire and Emergency Services too has its share of problems. Bangalore has about 20,000 high-rises and another 5,000 such buildings are located elsewhere in the State. All buildings exceeding 15 metre in height are considered high-rises. The department has no authority to check whether the building owners have carried out the modifications it had suggested before issuing the NoC. Of the sanctioned strength of 6,448 personnel, only 3,913 have been appointed to the department.

With hectic modern day life leading to various ailments, hospitals have become an integral part of daily life. Majority of the patients seeking treatment at government hospitals come from poor sections of society.

While Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas has said that he would obtain information on the safety aspects at hospitals, the exercise may take years together, given the number of hospitals in the State. And can patients’ lives be put at risk till then?

Case studies in deviations

MYSORE

KR Hospital, a 1,050-bed health facility is located at the heart of Mysore. The hospital is housed in a sprawling building. But the hospital lacks extinguishers, the basic firefighting equipment.

“Our hospital building is spacious and hence the possibility of a fire accident is remote. It is located in a conventional building giving little scope for alterations. We have written to the regional officer of the Fire and Emergency Services thrice and there has been no reply,” says Hospital Superintendent, Dr Geeta Avadhani.

The JSS Hospital in Agrahara fares better with fire extinguishers fitted at strategic locations in the building. The hospital will shift to a new building shortly. The new location complies with fire safety norms, said Superintendent Dr Veerabhadrappa.

C Gurulingaiah, the regional officer of the Fire Services said the hospitals staff had no idea of operating fire extinguishers. He said a majority of the hospitals do not send their personnel for training conducted by his department. “Now a day, hospitals are outsourcing their security system. Majority of the outsourced staff are aged and infirm persons” he said.

DAVANGERE

The district hospital (Chigateri hospital) is housed in a 50-year-old building. Some portions of the building are dilapidated and a woman worker died in a ceiling collapse recently.
There are no emergency exits for second and third floors. Age-old fire extinguishers have rusted and relegated to a corner. Chief Superintendent Dr Parashuramappa said there had been no fire incident in the past 50 years. He said maintenance of fire extinguishers is a Herculean task since the staff on duty keeps on shifting.

Fire preparedness is almost unheard of in majority of the hospitals in North and Hyderabad Karnataka. The heads of some hospitals directed the query on fire safety measures to their technicians. One cannot find hydrant systems, fire buckets and extinguishers at the 20-ward government hospital in Gulbarga.

HUBLI

The condition is worse in Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neurological Sciences (DIMS). An officer of the Fire and Emergency Services, who wished to be unnamed, said there need not be any surprise if the Kolkata-type incident happens at DIMS. “There is no firefighting system in our hospital. Our authorities may come to senses only after a tragedy,” he said. Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Chitaguppi Hospital are not housed in a multi-storey building. However, Fire officers say that none of the hospitals have a mechanism in place to fight accidental fire.

MANGALORE

The 165-year-old Wenlock Hospital too lacks fire safety measures. Except a small extinguisher in the operation theatre, there is no other fire fighting equipment in the hospital. Nor are the staff trained to tackle such emergencies. The preparedness at Lady Goshen Hospital is still worse. A senior doctor said repeated pleas to the government and the elected representatives to provide fire safety measures have fallen on deaf ears.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/212761/only-3-hospitals-fire-compliant.html)

Governance of public healthcare delivery systems in Karnataka being fine-tuned

It is to improve accessibility and quality of healthcare in rural areas

Governance of public healthcare delivery systems is being ‘fine-tuned' to improve accessibility and the quality of healthcare available to the people living in rural areas of the State.

In an effort to streamline the system of appointing doctors and specialists to Public Health Centres (PHCs) and district hospitals, the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Medical Officers and other Staff) Act 2011 was legislated and brought into effect from this year. Under the Act, initial appointment, transfer or promotion can only be done through counselling. Compulsory appointment of medical officers in rural areas and compulsory appointment, transfer or promotion of a specialist or senior specialist to appropriate posts are the other highlights of the Act, , according to State project director of the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) S. Selva Kumar.

During a presentation on the public healthcare scenario here recently, he said the cadre and recruitment (C&R) rules had been amended to provide for direct recruitment of specialists. The Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) had been requested to select 600 specialists for the department. The vacant posts of specialists in the rural First Referral Units (FRUs) had been filled up partly through the redeployment of specialists by removing mismatch, according to Mr. Kumar.

New health Act

Mr. Kumar disclosed that the earlier Public Health Act of 1954 had become obsolete and therefore, a new one was being prepared with the help of the Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reforms (KILPAR).

Mr. Kumar said nearly 339 in-service doctors underwent a 10-day residential workshop on leadership excellence. A residential workshop for 50 per cent of paramedical staff and personnel of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare along with another for 50 per cent of Group ‘D' personnel had been conducted to bring in changes in attitude and managerial capacity building.

Nearly 80 in-service doctors had been sponsored for a course in Master Facilitator in Leadership and Human Resources Development. The department had sponsored 57 officials for pursuing courses from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Likewise, 652 officials of the department from 30 districts underwent Art of Living courses. Nearly 89 officers had been sent to Bangkok for advance training on hospital management.

According to Mr. Kumar, the service delivery units had been asked to display citizen's charters prominently to create awareness among the public about public healthcare services.

A mother-and-child tracking system had been launched to track pregnant women throughout their pregnancy for providing medical services at their doorsteps.

Infants were also tracked for complete immunisation. SMS alerts were sent to beneficiaries through their mobile phones and reminders were also sent to the mobile phones of Auxillary Nursing Midwives (ANMs), according to information from the office of Mr. Kumar.

Integrated Primary Health Centre Information Systems (IPHCIS) have been launched on a pilot basis in some areas of the State to electronically monitor the attendance of staff, track beneficiaries and establish links to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) from the PHCs upwards.

Satellite-based

The satellite-based training of officers, paramedics and community representatives was being conducted through the studio centre at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) in Mysore to educate and create awareness among an assorted group of grassroots workers and middle-level managers.

The Planning and Monitoring Committees on Community Health have been constituted from the village upto the district level to involve the community in planning and monitoring. Arogya Raksha Samitis (ARS) have been set up in all service delivery units for planning and managing the health delivery apparatus from PHCs upto the district hospital.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2753700.ece

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http://www.deccanheraldepaper.com/pdf/2012/01/02/20120102a_006100008.jpg

Nimhans to get advanced research centre

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) here will soon have a centre for advanced research for innovation in mental health and neuro sciences, announced Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday.

Addressing the 16th convocation of Nimhans, Azad said a bill had been introduced in the Parliament in the recent winter session recognising Nimhans as an institute of national importance.
Azad called upon hospitals to create space for families of patients.

He quoted the example of “Infosys Foundation Dharmashala.” At the time of setting up a hospital, provision must be made for dharmshalas and guest houses as families are an integral part of healthcare of the patient.

read more:- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/220898/nimhans-get-advanced-research-centre.html

New Centre for Research for Innovation in Mental Health to Be Established at Nimhans, Bangalore

A new “Centre for Advanced Research for Innovation in Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences” would be established at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore with support for manpower development as well as projects on translational research by ICMR. The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President of NIMHANS Society Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad announced this while addressing the 16th Convocation of NIMHANS at Bengaluru today. Vice President of India Shri Hamid Ansari was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Governor of Karnataka, Shri H. R. Bhardwaj, Minister for Medical Education, Government of Karnataka and VP NIMHANS society Sri Ramadass, Board Members and Members of the Academic Council, Faculty were also present at the graduation ceremony.

read more:- http://www.vadvert.co.uk/business/21088-new-centre-for-research-for-innovation-in-mental-health-to-be-established-at-nimhans-bangalore.html

Mangalore, Jan 29,2012, DHNS:

* Youth urged not to ignore senior citizens

The State government has decided to introduce mobile medical units in rural areas for the benefit of the senior citizens.

These government run mobile medical units will work on the lines of the mobile medical units which are already introduced by some of the private organisations, said Dakshina Kannada Women and Child Welfare Department Deputy Director A Shakunthala.

She was the guest honour at the 10th Ashraya Day, which was celebrated to mark the decennial celebrations of KMC Ashraya, a day care centre for active ageing which is a unit of the Department of Medicine and Physiotherapy of KMC Hospital, Attavar. In the programme held at the hospital on Sunday, she said that the government has planned various schemes and programmes for the welfare of the senior citizens. With the introduction of mobile medical units, the senior citizens in remote villages who have financial constraints too can undergo regular medical check-up and treatment. The mobile healthcare units will visit every village, identify the senior citizens in need of health care and will do the necessary arrangement, she informed.

She said that the government will introduce Senior Citizens Welfare fund during the current fiscal year. “All the new schemes of the government for the welfare of the senior citizens will be introduced during 2012-13. There are about 46 lakh senior citizens in the State and we should take good care of them. Ashraya which has been started by KMC is a role model centre and such centres should be started in every taluk. The Women and Child Welfare Department will do the needful to start such centres and it could be realised only if the private organisations and NGOs too join their hands in the noble task,” said Shakunthala.

Presiding over the function, Manipal University Registrar Dr G K Prabhu urged people not to ignore the senior citizens.

“Most often we tend to ignore the speech of our elderly parents. We attribute reasons like lack of patience and time for not lending ears to their talks. But we should develop a habit to talk to the elderly and listen to their problems. Every man becomes old one or the other day and the day we become old, our children would ignore us,” he said.

The inmates of KMC Ashraya had gathered in large numbers on the occasion. Ashraya currently has 550 lifetime members and other temporary members. KMC Mangalore Dean Dr M V Prabhu launched the decennial celebrations. KMC Hospit5al Attavar Deputy MS Dr Madhusudan Upadhya and Ashraya Sanchalak Dr Prabha Adhikari were present.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/222993/mobile-medical-units-launched-elders.html)

Karnataka drugs dept commences SMS alerts to pharmacy outlets on status of applications

Close on the heels of its efforts to issue sales licenses via online, the Karnataka drugs control department has embarked on a task to text short message service (SMS) to the pharmacy outlets owners in the state. The SMS will provide the details on the clearance of applications submitted to seek fresh licenses or renewals.

The department which commenced its online service to pharmacy trade sector in November 2011, is now looking to streamline the process by adding value to the assistance with instant messaging. “We have mandated the need to provide mobile numbers of the pharmacy outlet owners. Once the application for license or its renewal is cleared from our end, we instantly send out test messages. This would provide immediate information and the whole process is fast and efficient,” Dr BR Jagashetty, Drugs Controller, government of Karnataka told Pharmabiz.

The initiative has been widely backed by the state department of e-governance. National Informatics Centre (NIC) is providing all the technical assistance. The department has already uploaded details of all its 25,500 pharmacy outlets spread across 30 districts in the state.

read more :- http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67298&sid=1

Karnataka drugs control department declares 23 drugs as not-of-standard quality

Karnataka drugs control department has seized 23 drugs which are not-of-standard quality. The inspections were carried out between January 1 to January 31, 2012 to ensure that quality drugs are in circulation and the drug test Lab at Bengaluru have declared the list of drugs.

The drugs which are declared as not-of-standard quality by the drugs test lab in Bengaluru and the Regional Drug Testing Laboratory at Hubli include Lymox D which is an amoxycillin dicloxacillin capsule manufactured by DM Pharma in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh; Monk CV 228.5DT amoxycillin and potassium clavulanate dispersible tablets manufactured by Associate Biotec in Himachal Pradesh; hydrogen peroxide topical solution, manufactured by Unique Labs at Madhya Pradesh; Dipmol which is a diclofenac sodium injection manufactured by Anrose Pharma at Himachal Pradesh; Clavica which is amoxycillin trihydrate and clavulanate potassium tablets manufactured by Asa Biotech in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh; Zoxil CV suspension by Vapi Care Pharma in Solan district at Himachal Pradesh; and SPA-VES suspension manufactured by Orchid Spa in Bengaluru.

The list also includes Procon Infusion set manufactured by Iscon Surgicals at Jodhpur; OFY-200 which are ofloxcin tablets manufactured by Oyster Pharma at Solan in Himachal Pradesh; Doclo Plus injection containing diclofenac sodium manufactured by SVP Life Sciences at Dehradun in Uttarakhand; Polyfol forte containing folic acid and ferrous sulphate manufactured by Quest Laboratories at Indore in Madhya Pradesh; Roxythromycin tablets manufactured by Minopharm Laboratories in Hyderabad; Omebel-D Omeprazole and Domperidone capsules manufactured by Penam Pharmaceuticals in Uttarakhand; Avizyme syrup manufactured by Adley Formulations in Himachal Pradesh; paracetamol tablets sold under the brand name Activ-500 manufactured by Sozin Flora Pharma in Himachal Pradesh; Enteric Cold Asprin tablet BP manufactured by Cooper Pharma located at the Vazipur Industrial Area in Delhi; paracetomol tablet BP manufactured by Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals, Bengaluru; and Metformin tablet IP in 500 mg manufactured by Medo Pharma, Industrial Area Malur in Karnataka.

According to Dr BR Jagashetty, state drugs controller, the frequent checks keep not-of-standard quality drugs at bay. Surprise inspections are mandated to ensure that manufacturers are cautious in their production practices.

The state drugs department has also sent notes of caution to the 25,500 chemists and wholesalers apart from the hospitals and the public to refrain from stocking and prescribing these drugs.

According to a section of pharma scientists, drugs found to be not-of-standard quality are those having the medicinal content below 70 per cent for thermo liable products and below 5 per cent of the permitted limits for the thermo stable products.http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67405&sid=1

New law to rein in pvt hospitals

The state government will come out with new piece of legislation making it mandatory for private hospitals to treat poor patients in emergency situations irrespective of whether or not they can make payment immediately.

Medical education minister SA Ramadas told the legislative council on Tuesday that the Karnataka Private Medical Establishment Bill would be tabled in the budget session in March. "We are aware of the private hospitals' attitude. The existing laws are insufficient to rein them in. Once the new law is enacted, if the hospital authorities refuse admission and treatment to the poor patients, the government will cancel the hospital's registration and send the person responsible for it to the jail,'' the minister said.

The government decided on the bill following complaints against private hospitals refusing to attend to poor patients. The hospitals insist on a deposit, even during emergencies, refuse treatment in medico-legal cases, and don't cooperate during the spread of communicable diseases.

Dayananda Reddy ( Congress) raised the issue and narrated how a snake-bite victim in Bommasandra died as she was denied preliminary treatment by Narayana Hrudayalaya on February 1.

What the SC had said

The Supreme Court in the late '80s emphasized the need for making it obligatory for hospitals and medical practitioners to provide emergency medical care. This is not the only reason for not attending on injured persons or persons in a medical emergency, for sometimes, such persons are turned out on the ground that they are not in a position to make payment immediately or that they have no insurance or that they are not members of any scheme which entitles them to medical reimbursement, it said. It had directed all hospitals to admit patients irrespective of the nature of the accident or ailment. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/New-law-to-rein-in-pvt-hospitals/articleshow/11801856.cms

* ‘Empowering this sector is a priority'

To promote yoga and naturopathy, the State Government is planning to start AYUSH-based (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) outpatient units in all taluk hospitals in a phased manner. These units will be set up in association with organisations involved in promoting Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM), Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said here on Friday.

He was speaking after inaugurating the second day's sessions of the five-day International Conference on Yoga, Naturopathy and Arogya Expo 2012 at the Gayathri Vihar on the Palace Grounds.

Asserting that the State Government had recognised the importance of yoga in daily life, the Chief Minister said empowerment of this sector was a priority.

The Department of AYUSH, in collaboration with the Shantivana Trust of Dharmasthala, had opened outpatient units in 10 taluk-level hospitals in the State on a public-private partnership model. “These units have proved to be useful. We intend to extend this concept to all the districts in a phased manner,” he said.

This apart, yoga and naturopathy would be promoted through educational initiatives. “The government is planning to set up yoga and naturopathy schools and colleges. We have established a full-fledged yoga and naturopathy college in Mysore. This institute is offering several useful courses,” he said.

“Sedentary lifestyle, erratic food habits, stressful life, overuse of medicines and pollution are affecting people's health. World over, people are looking for a safe, effective and multi-dimensional healthcare system based on yoga and the government is committed to promoting this system,” he said.

Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas said that to promote AYUSH among the rural masses the government had issued an order to adopt 10 gram panchayats as yoga and naturopathy panchayats. “Each such panchayat will be entitled to a grant of Rs. 1 crore to provide comprehensive healthcare based on AYUSH. Yoga and naturopathy institutes are welcome to partner with the government to implement this initiative,” he said.

V.S. Gaur, Union AYUSH Joint Secretary, said that the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-2017) would lay special emphasis on AYUSH. “There is a proposal to set up a yoga and naturopathy hospital in every district of the country. In addition, the government is setting up the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi. We are in the process of streamlining AYUSH-related education,” he added.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/article2880232.ece)

Karnataka to set up yoga and naturopathy council

The Karnataka government will soon set up a yoga and naturopathy council and allot 10 percent of the health budget in the ensuing fiscal (2012-13) to promote Indian systems of medicine comprising ayurveda, yoga, unani, siddha and homeopathy (Ayush)

"Yoga and naturopathy are two native therapies that can prevent and cure several physical and psychosomatic ailments, especially diabetes and HIV+ cases, which have been increasing in the country of late. We hope Ayush will address these issues in the long-term," Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramadass said here Sunday.

Delivering the valedictory address at the five-day international conference on yoga and naturopathy, Ramadass said the state government would also set up a separate directorate of Ayush at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in the city to offer paramedical diploma and certificate courses in Indian systems of medicine.

"In addition, a Ayush rehab unit will be set up to treat HIV+ cases with natural remedies and form an international working group to promote yoga and naturopathy," the minister said.

Of the 5,000 delegates participating in the conference, to the ICYN, about 500 are from 25 countries the world over. About 300 research papers were presented during the five-day mega event by Indian and overseas scholars on yoga and naturopathy.

Organised by the state's Ayush department in association with institutes promoting yoga and naturopathy, the event is also holding an exhibition -- 'Arogya Expo 2012' -- showcasing various health products and natural remedies at the sprawling Bangalore Palace grounds in the city centre.http://twocircles.net/2012feb12/karnataka_set_yoga_and_naturopathy_council.html

Most ICTCs are not serving the purpose

The Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs), envisaged as centres to assist people with HIV deal with psychological trauma and stress have failed to serve their purpose.

A survey conducted in ICTCs in 11 districts by Karnataka Sexual Minorities Forum and Aneka, an NGO, to assess their functioning style says none of the centers are counselling people who approach them for blood tests or to those who are tested positive.

According to the rules the centres should provide couselling for those approaching them for blood tests before and after the test. However, the survey found out that most ICTCs in Dharwad, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bangalore Rural, Bangalore City, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Charamarajnagar, Gulbarga, Bagalkot, Raichur, and Koppal lacked basic facilities and enough counsellors to match the increasing number of visitors.

Mallappa Kumbar, state coordinator of the NGO, who headed the survey teams, said, "If a person is tested positive for HIV, he or she must be given counselling to boost their confidence and to motivate them to take proper treatment at Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) centres. However, it is not happening in any ICTCs. After blood test, they blindly refer people to ART centres."

The survey also revealed that CD4 test for taking the count of white blood cells, which has to be conducted on HIV patients in every six months, is not being carried out regularly in most ART centres.

"These centres are also demanding voter ID cards, ration cards etc to admit or provide medicines to sexual minorities. As most of the sexual minorities will often migrate from one place to other, they usually will not have any such documents. The government should look into this problem," he added.

The NGO has published the survey reports in a book titled "Chasing Numbers, Betray People" to create awareness about the condition of ICTCs.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Most-ICTCs-are-not-serving-the-purpose/articleshow/11866638.cms

Super-speciality hospital for Gulbarga

A team of young doctors have joined hands to establish the first super-speciality hospital offering treatment in urology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, surgical oncology and ophthalmology here. United Hospital, a unit of United Brothers Healthcare Services Pvt. Ltd., is the initiative of six young doctors belonging to the 1993 batch of the Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College. They all hail from the Gulbarga region. The United Hospital is the dream project of Dr. Vikram Siddareddy, trauma and laparoscopic surgeon, Dr. Rajeev Bashetty, urologist, Vinay Patil, orthopaedic surgeon, Raju Kulkarni, orthopaedic and trauma surgeon, Anand Biradar, radiologist, and Pavan Deshmukh, pathologisthttp://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2902151.ece

Heart care centre for Shimoga

Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said here on Saturday that the State Government will establish a heart care centre in the city.

“The proposed centre will be established either on the premises of McGann Hospital or Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences,” he said, after inaugurating a free cancer check-up camp organised by Shubhamangala Seva Trust.

He said that the district will be brought under the purview of Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme. The State Government had provided Rs. 2,428 crore for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Rs. 826 crore for medical education in the budget of 2011-12, he said. He regretted the reluctance on part of the young doctors to serve in villages. The State Government is contemplating on introducing a law, making it mandatory for medical graduates to serve in rural areas , he said. MLA and president of the Bharatiya Janata Party State unit K.S. Eshwarappa, MP Ayanur Manjunath, and MLC R.K. Siddaramanna were present.http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article2909196.ece

Karnataka govt to have State Drugs & Cosmetic Rules by March end

Karnataka government may soon come out with a set of dedicated State Drugs and Cosmetic Rules under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. The state government had already formed an expert committee for the purpose with the mandate to finalize these draft Rules shortly.

The three member committee is chaired by the former deputy drugs controller Rajashekariah. The other two members are a Deputy Drugs Controller and Assistant Drugs controller from the Bangalore headquarters of the state drugs control department.

“The government has been keen to frame the state specific rules within the frame work of the Central Act. These draft rules will be first passed in the State assembly and then presented to the Union government for clearance. This is the first of its kind exercise in the country,” Dr BR Jagashetty, Drugs Controller, government of Karnataka told Pharmabiz.

“We have been looking at methods to further strengthen the monitoring of quality of drugs and ethical trade practices in the state. This led us to propose to the state government on the need for a separate State Drugs & Cosmetic Rules. The state government has immediately taken cognizance of the same and called for the formation of a three -member committee, he said.

This is probably the first initiative by a state government to go in for an exclusive set of state Drugs & Cosmetic Rules, although the Maharashtra government had framed rules for fee structure for drug licensing. There are several areas which the State Drugs &Cosmetic Rules will need to focus such as spurious drugs, not of standard quality medicines, mushrooming of pharmacy outlets and the absence of a qualified pharmacist at the counters and the need to introduce shifts for pharmacists at chemist shops besides review of various fee structures, said Dr Jagashetty.

The time frame set for the draft of the Karnataka Drugs & Cosmetics Rules is three months after which it would circulate the same to seek comments. The industry and the pharmacy trade among others will be called for discussion to give a final shape to the rules. The whole process is expected to take six months before the Rules would be tabled for clearance before the state and Union governments, he said.
The key purpose of the Karnataka Drugs and Cosmetic Rules would be to bring in a strict and rigorous system of audit, inspection and booking violators of the law. The creation of an efficient state regulatory system is viewed as an integral component in public health.

The new rules are extremely urgent going by the changes taking place in the pharma and biotech industry. While it will mandate the need for computerization as a benchmark to maintain transparency and efficiency, it is also expected to include Good Distribution Practices (GDP) which will provide clear cut norms to the industry and trade on distribution, recall and management of the date expired / discarded drugs within a given time frame. The State Drugs & Cosmetics Rules could also be relevant for the country as it is also looking to define specific area for pharmacy outlets.

Incidentally Dr Jagashetty is also the chairperson of Committee for Amendments to the existing Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945 formed by the Drugs Consultative Committee through the Drugs Control General of India (DCGI).

He has also been selected as member of sub-group on spurious and adulterated drugs which will support the Task Force constituted to formulate a long term policy and strategy for strengthening of drug sector in the country. The three member committee has also taken the required direction from the State drugs controller.http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=67836&sid=1

New dist hospital to come up in bus stand

The district administration will construct the new district hospital on the plot of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus stand in the City.

The KSRTC, which is struggling for want of enough buses in use, has already agreed to hand over the rights over the entire plot of the desolate bus stand to the district officers.

The doctors and medical staff of the district hospital and even citizens are expressing disappointment as the choice of the district administration, saying the place is not suitable for construction of a hospital.

There are allegations that the plot was selected by people with no idea how much land a hospital needs and with what facilities. The area of the KSRTC bus stand will not suffice the construction of a big, modern, super-specialty hospital, many have said. There are also apprehensions on the capacity of the State government to construct such a hospital newly, when it has failed to fulfill the necessities of the present district hospital.

The original site chosen for construction of a new hospital was on the premises of the Basappa choultry beside BB Road. Officers concerned had said the district hospital, which currently holds about a hundred beds, cannot be given additional facilities.

Officers concerned had said the district hospital, which currently holds about a hundred beds, cannot be given additional facilities. It had also become difficult to treat a large number of patients in the hospital, which gave them the idea of change of place for the hospital.

The original site chosen for construction of a new hospital was on the premises of the Basappa choultry beside BB Road. Former District In-charge Minister Shobha Karandlaje and Union Minister M Veerappa Moily too had approved of the site.

The project for construction of a new hospital, however, was not implemented and the idea of construction on the premises of the Basappa choultry was dropped. The next choice of plot was the premises of the court adjacent to the district hospital. The court officials agreed to hand over the property for construction of a new hospital, but this project too was eventually rejected.

Now, the district administration has taken up the project of building a new hospital on the property of KSRTC, but there are too many objections.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, a senior officer of the District Health and Family Welfare Department said the project would be implemented immediately, if was approved by the authorities concerned. “A meeting regarding the construction was organized in Bangalore with the general secretary of the State government. The district administration submitted a proposal to construct a hospital that can hold at least 200 beds in the KSRTC plot and the Transport Corporation agreed to hand over the land to the Health Department.”

The doctors and medical staff of the hospital, however, are unhappy with the choice. The KSRTC bus stand spans about five acres of land. The district hospital, however, needs much more, they insist. “There has been a lack of foresight in selection of the site, as we need a district hospital that can hold 300 to 500 beds. We also need a separate unit for emergency treatment and a residential complex for people working in the hospital.

Enough space should be provided to park ambulances, cars, two-wheelers and other vehicles. There should also be a garden and a resting area. Would the KSRTC bus stand site hold all this?” they said.

Hospital needs at least 20 acres

The new hospital should be constructed on a plot at least 20 acres large, instead of a congested five acre plot, said the members of the committee of people with common thinking. The best place for construction of the district hospital would be the 20-acre land near Anakanur, they added.

“The bus stand was constructed on the dried up Thimmegowda tank. During rain, the entire area converts into a virtual tank, with stagnant water. Also, the only way to reach the bus stand area is MG Road and traffic is always heavy there. It is difficult to drive an ambulance through the road.”

The demand for the number of beds in the hospital went up from 200 to 500. The committee members agreed that a mini-park would add to the appeal of the hospital in the eyes of patients and their relatives.http://www.deccanherald.com/content/232339/dist-hospital-come-up-bus.html

Karnataka to constitute Health Systems Commission

The Karnataka Cabinet today approved creation of a state Health Systems Commission to suggest ways and means to improve medical education, promote healthcare research and integration of Indian system of medicine with modern medicine.

Briefing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda, Law and Urban Development Minister S Suresh Kumar said Principal Secretaries in the Departments of Health and Finance would be among the ten-member Karnataka Health Systems Commission.

The commission would come out with recommendations on creating awareness on and strengthening of health systems, enhance medical education quality and promote healthcare research, among others.

"It will suggest ways and means to integrate Indian system of medicine with modern medicine", Kumar said.

He also said a proposal of M S Ramaiah Group of Institutions here to start a private university on applied sciences, which would offer courses in technical and medical education, management and life sciences, among others, was also cleared by the Cabinet.

Fifty per cent of seats in the proposed self-financing varsity would be reserved for students hailing from the State. The Minister said the Group has already invested Rs 100 crore for creating education infrastructure here and plans to pump in another Rs 150 crore in the next five years.

Kumar said there was a proposal from the Agriculture Department to store eight lakh tonnes of different fertilisers for the coming Kharif season by the state-owned Karnataka State Cooperating Marketing Federation and it was approved by the Cabinet, which would now stand guarantee to the purchase cost of Rs 1162.75 crore.

Meanwhile, the budget session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly would be begin on March 20, with the budget to be presented the next day. The duration of the session would be decided by the business advisory committee of the House, it was stated.

The Cabinet also gave adminstrative approval for establishing a multi-purpose exhibition centre on a nine-acre plot in Hubli-Dharwad twin city at a cost of Rs seven crore.

Hubli-based Karnataka Chamber of Commerce has already floated a special purpose vehicle for the project and it would contribute 15 per cent of the equity (Rs 1.05 crore), while the state government's share would be 85 per cent (Rs 5.95 crore).

The Cabinet deferred a proposal on hiking water charges proposed by the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board in the city, sources said.
http://zeenews.india.com/news/karnataka/karnataka-to-constitute-health-systems-commission_762784.html

Hi-tech training for MS students

SJM Medical College, Chitradurga, offers unique programme in Cochlear Implant

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00947/12bge_lab_jpg_1_947965f.jpg

A Cochlear Implant and Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) Training Centre, the first of its kind in India, has been set up in Chitradurga.

The centre, set up by SJM Medical College and Hospital, will be offering a month-long hi-tech training to students who have completed Master of Surgery (MS) course in Ear Nose Throat (ENT). The ENT surgeons will be taught how to implant the artificial inner ear in the deaf, who have lost hearing power due to accidents or are born that way.

“This training centre will cater to not only the ENT specialists of Karnataka, but also to the rest of the country. Hitherto, most of them had to go to the U.S. or some European country for training. Now, they can undergo training here and set up their own Cochlear Implant centre,” said N.B. Prahallad, ENT Surgeon and head of the department of ENT, SJM Medical College and Hospital.
WHO survey

Quoting from a survey by the World Health Organisation (WHO), he said that India was home to over 65 million deaf people – those who have lost their hearing capacity or have become hard listeners. The causes may be congenital, because of consanguinity, or owing to accidents. Some people lose their hearing efficiency due to constant hearing of loud noises which damage the eardrums. Children who are deaf by birth also face speech problems as they cannot learn speaking without hearing. “This is one of the major reasons why many deaf children become dumb as well.”

Though external hearing aids are generally preferred for the hard listeners, Dr. Prahallad said such machines have limitations as they cannot treat the people who are completely deaf. “In simple terms, the machines amplify the sound to make it audible, but for those who are totally deaf, such machines cannot help them hear. In such case, artificial transplantation of the inner ear is the only option.” Dr. Prahallad illustrated how the Cochlear Implant helps in sending sound signals to the brain which enables the deaf to hear.

Though India had about 30 implant centres, there are no centres for the surgeons to undergo training in the field. Karnataka had three implant centres, and the Chitradurga centre is an addition which also offers training.

Dr. Prahallad, who has undergone training in the U.S, said that he wanted similar training centres to be set up in India. After implantation, the rehabilitation of the patient is important as the patient needed to be given speech therapy for months.

On the high cost of treatment, Dr. Prahallad said the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was inventing inexpensive machines which would possibly cost only Rs. 1 lakh. http://www.thehindu.com/education/research/article2981956.ece

Cisco and Government of Karnataka in PPP to Pilot Remote Healthcare in Chitradurga District to Bring Inclusive Growth

Cisco Uses Its Healthcare Solution to Connect a Remote Primary Healthcare Center and a Remote Community Healthcare Center to the District Hospital

CHITRADURGA, INDIA--(Marketwire - April 10, 2012) - Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced the launch of its Cisco® healthcare solution pilot program to enable remote healthcare for one primary healthcare center and one community healthcare center from the district hospital in Chitradurga District.

With this project, Cisco advances its Inclusive Growth vision of using technology to bridge the urban-rural gap. Last year, Cisco launched the initiative so that rural communities can get access to essential urban services like healthcare, education, a marketplace and access to public services through technology and bring them into the mainstream economy. Using the network as a platform, these services can bring about transformational change and greatly reduce the urban-rural divide.

Cisco introduced its healthcare solution in its corporate social responsibility project -- Samudaya -- to enable access to remote healthcare to flood-affected people of Raichur on a proof-of-concept basis. Leveraging Cisco technology and medical services provided by RxDx's multi-specialty hospital in Bangalore, remote consultation for over 1700 patients has been rendered.

In the Chitradurga pilot, the healthcare solution will link Chitradurga District Hospital to one community healthcare centre at Bharamasagara in Chitradurga Taluk and one primary healthcare centre (PHC) at Mathode in Hosadurga Taluk. Patients visiting these two centers will have their vitals checked by the paramedic/nurse at the centre while the doctor at the district hospital provides consultation and diagnosis in real time. Cisco's healthcare solution creates an environment where patients and doctors can meet each other virtually through video without having to commute long distances.

Nearly 70% of India's population lives in rural areas, but 80% of the total available doctors are in urban areas and patients often have to travel long distances at great cost to get quality healthcare. This gap, coupled with the shortage of local doctors, poses a huge challenge for delivery of rural healthcare system. Cisco's solution alleviates these issues for the rural population

The proactive initiatives of the government of Karnataka to use Cisco technologies to provide remote healthcare is a positive step to leapfrog these challenges and bring about inclusive growth.

Executive quotes

Shri Janardhana Swamy, MP, Chitradurga District
"A significant number of population lives in the rural areas in Karnataka, which is the case with the entire nation too. The rural population is unable to access quality healthcare and specialist consultants due to lack of availability and spend precious time traveling to urban centres for their treatment. In this regard Cisco Inclusive Growth solutions are a step in the right direction. I want to congratulate Cisco on its mission to provide access to healthcare using its technology. Cisco's solution will enable better access to medical treatment for the population of Chitradurga."

Shri Vipul Bhansal, District Commissioner, Chitradurga District
"We are confident that we will be able to provide affordable healthcare to a larger population using technology. People in the rural areas need easy access to specialists, which is something that can be facilitated with Cisco solutions."

Aravind Sitaraman, President, Inclusive Growth, Cisco
"Healthcare in India is a major concern for those who cannot afford or access it. While this amenity is available easily to urban population at very affordable rates, it is not ubiquitous in rural areas. Governments across all states of India recognize this gap. While some are in the process to adopt new solution towards making an impactful change, others are starting to do so. We are happy to collaborate with visionary governments like Karnataka in implementing the new wave of growth and enablement. This project marks significant progress towards the Inclusive Growth goal of using technology as the enabler to bridge urban-rural gap and Cisco's vision of changing the way people work, live, play and learn."
http://investinindia.com/news/cisco-and-government-karnataka-ppp-pilot-remote-healthcare-chitradurga-district-bring-inclusive-36v9

NephroPlus opts for hospital partnership model to expand, enters K’taka in pact with Koshy’s Hospital

Friday, March 30, 2012, 17:15 Hrs [IST]

NephroPlus views hospital partnership model as a preferred platform to expand its footprint pan India. The over two-year-old dedicated dialysis major has been approached by several healthcare providers in south India to set up a facility at their premises.

In its entry maiden into Karnataka, NephroPlus has now teamed up with Koshy’s Hospital at Ramamurthy Nagar in Bengaluru.

Its 2,000 sq ft facility has 10 beds with provision to double the capacity. In Karnataka, plans are to open more centres which would also cover districts of Hubli, Mandya and Shimoga to ensure patients do not travel distances to undergo dialysis. While we do see an increasing number of dialysis in Bangalore, we are looking at six centres to be set-up here. In fact, we are in advanced stages of discussions with several healthcare providers to open units in their premises, said Vikram Vuppala, founder and managing director, NephroPlus at a press conclave here.

The key advantage to set base at a hospital is that we get the necessary critical care support which covers intensive care units, access to cardiac assistance and specialists to handle any complications, he added.

The dialysis care major has raised around Rs.200 crore through Series A VC funding from Bessemar Ventures Partners to support its pan India foray to open 100 centres covering entire southern states and parts of north India. Of these, 80 will be through partnerships with hospitals and the remaining will be standalone operations. The effort is to set up a dialysis centre at every 4 km radius at a location. Currently, of the 7 centres in Andhra Pradesh, 2 are standalone and the remaining are set-up within leading hospitals.

“We are a pure play dialysis operator offering quality and cost-effective proposition to dialysis patients across India. In an effort to provide the best of care, it set up a comprehensive training institute ‘Enpidia’ in Hyderabad for dialysis technicians and nurses which commenced the programme on March 12 where 12 students enrolled. It has planned for zonal and state training centres. In Bengaluru too, a similar facility will be commissioned by June,” stated the NephroPlus chief.

India accounts for 20 lakh end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with one lakh new cases annually driven by diabetes and hypertension. Kidney failures have five stages, only the first stage can be treated with drugs and dialysis, and transplant are the only answer for the rest of the stages of the condition.

Another issue is that one third of the kidney care is in shambles with over one-third of the cases getting infected with HIV, Hep-C and Hep-B during dialysis. What sets NephroPlus apart is the adherence to zero infection point, stringent practice of 56 steps to eliminate total cross infection and NephroPlus Dialysis Index where each patient’s outcome of four hours of dialysis is monitored in an holistic way. These three factors have made our service way ahead of the others, said the founder and MD, NephroPlus.
http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=68261&sid=2

For discussions related to new hospitals, medical colleges and updates in healthcare industry in Karnataka. Known as a silicon valley in India, there is a huge potential in Healthcare industry also. Especially places like Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Shimoga etc. Members can share photos, new developments in the healthcare industry.

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/7679/simswf.jpg

This is the new medical college coming up in Shimoga. The construction of the building is almost 70 % over. They opened some 50 beds as a start up. This group has already have a 75 bed hospital in Shimoga. The total medical seat will be 200. After a long four year period, a new medical college is coming up in Karnataka

already we have thread for healthcare

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=914688

This is a new hospital coming up in Vignan Nagar, Near BEML gate in bangalore. It's a 100 bed hospital. They are planning to start by May 1st 2012
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http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1821/220412113004.jpg

This is new hospital coming up in Bangalore. Its located near Domlur Flyover. This is a 50 bed hospital planning to start by June 2012

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/1594/220412114609.jpg

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/8889/220412114631.jpg

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Health receives max attention at meet (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/247686/health-receives-max-attention-meet.html)

Mysore, May 7, 2012, DHNS :
With health consciousness gaining ground in the country, health industry has witnessed a spurt of investments in Mysore district.

According to the statistics revealed by the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), health industry would receive investments to the tune of Rs 3,002.17 crore from 24 investors.

Of this, Mysore alone would be receiving Rs 2,982.05 crore investments, followed by Rs 20 crore in Chamarajanagar and Rs 0.12 crore in Kodagu. The districts of Mandya, Hassan and Chikmagalur have failed to attract investors in the health industry.

However, all six districts have found investors to promote agrotech and food processing.

While Mysore (Rs 1705.01 crore) received boatloads of investment, Mandya (Rs 248.02 crore), Hassan (Rs 27.11 crore), Kodagu (Rs 0.58 crore), Chikmagalur (Rs 110.75 crore) and Chamarajanagar (Rs 269.95 crore) have also found favour with the investors.

Infrastructure companies have earmarked Rs 1,344.15 crore for three districts excluding Mandya, Kodagu and Chikmagalur.

Having already been known to be a pensioner’s paradise, Mysore is set to receive Rs 1,338.9 crore by infrastructure firms, Hassan would receive Rs 4.25 crore and Chamarajanagar would get Rs one crore.

Investors are preparing to capitalise on tourism sector by pumping in Rs 234.94 crore.

Mysore would receive Rs 202.9 crore followed by Rs 12.82 crore for Chamarajanagar, Rs 7.6 crore in Mandya, Rs 1.5 crore in Hassan, Rs 0.12 crore in Kodagu and Rs 10 crore in Chikmagalur.

Mangalore, May 10: Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute will be inaugurated on Saturday May 12 at 11.45 am, informed managin director of the hospital Dr Yusuf A Kumble at a the press meet here on Thursday May 10.

He added that chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda will be the chief guest and union cabinet minister for corporate affairs Dr M Veerappa Moily will preside over the function.

http://www.tvmangalore.com/images1/daya_100512_indi5.jpg

Nalin Kumar Kateel, P Karunakaran, Yogish Bhat, U T Khader, N A Nellikkinnu, Dr H S Ballal, Dr Shantharam Shetty and other distinguished and prominent personalities will be present during the function.

"Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute is a new super-specialty hospital of global standards. It’s a corporate hospital promoted as a public limited company owned by shareholders from all walks of life. The hospital has a capital outlay of 75 crore," Dr Kumble said.

Providing facilities and services that of global standards that are affordable to common man is the main objective of this establishments, he added.

"The hospital will have full-time renowned specialist doctors who will be delivering services with the support of able and experienced medical, paramedical and administrative staff," he said, adding that world-class facilities have been adopted in various specialties like neurology, ENt, obstretcis and gynecology, internal medicine, gastroenterology, anesthesiology, laboratory sciences and other medications.

"Indiana hospital is committed to providing advanced technology to the common man with comprehensice infrastructure, cutting edge technology, latest medical equipment and committed medical experts," Dr Ali Kumble, the chairman said.

Daijiworld

International Nurses Day, celebrated on 12th May every year is also recognised around the world as Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Florence Nightingale’s work laid the foundations for a modern nursing profession. She set out to improve the care that nurses give, helping to save lives but also improve the quality of patients’ lives. Today’s nurses are the guardians of Florence Nightingale’s vision. It is always a time for nurses to gather and celebrate the role of this profession in our society. This year is no exception. Vaatsalya hospitals has been celebrating Nurses’ day since their inception in 2005. This year also it was celebrated across our hospitals in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to commemorate Florence Nightingale’s life.
The celebration started with an oath taken by all the nursing staff and cutting of cake. There was also a presentation on various challenges of modern nursing which was presented by the nursing superintendent. International Nurses Day is the perfect opportunity for recognizing the contribution and effort of nursing staffs. Vaatsalya presented Florence Nightingale Awards to 25 of their nurses who delivered extraordinary performance this year.

http://vaatsalya.com/online/International%20Nurses%20Day

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Mangalore: Medical Education Minister Ramdas to Discuss Poor Clinical Facility at Wenlock with CM
Daijiworld (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=138620)

Mangalore, May 22: Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas paid a special visit to Wenlock Hospital here on Tuesday May 22 and took regional medical director Saroja into task for various complaints received by him. Earlier minister had received a report from a committee chaired by Dr Raghupathi, professor and head, department of pathology, Bangalore which explained the issues pertaining to poor medical service in the hospital.

As clinical facilities were handled by KMC, 58 doctors among 110 doctors were not on duty during minister’s visit. 11 among them were absent since a month. Also KMC doctors were not registering their attendance through bio-metrics system. Except two units in OPD, in all other units PG students were working and doctors were absent. In radiology department only technician was present. Minister was also irked by knowing that some patients were sent to private hospitals extending the excuse of non availability of expert doctors.

He told that he had collated contact numbers of patients and heard their complaints directly. Later he told press persons that he will discuss the indifferent attitude of KMC doctors in Wenlock Hospital and will discuss the matter with the CM.

However he said that unlike his experience during the last visit, medicines were available and x-ray department was functioning well. Asked about any steps to improve the Wenlock Hospital, he said that in the budget some allocation were made and refused to throw more light on the same as election code of conduct is persisting now.

Regarding the Lady Goschen hospital building work getting delayed even after a year, Dy speaker Yogish Bhat said that donor Raghava has not stepped backward from his promise, however alternative arrangements are being made.

He also promised the nursing staffs that action will be taken to make them permanent employees. There are 23 such staffs working on contract basis for a salary of Rs 7000 and their 2 months’ salary was delayed.

Only because KMC gave 40 seats of MBBS for CET students today OPD of Wenlock is run by KMC,
I know Govt staff would have not done any better job, but from KMC is not acceptable being one of the major Pvt Institution incountry

Mods, please merge this thread either with healthcare or education accordingly.

Hospital business on the rise in north Karnataka

The healthcare sector in North Karnataka is set for big changes in coming years. The Karnataka government is luring investors to set up healthcare facilities in tier-II & III cities besides increasing its expenditure toward various health-related welfare programmes. Though the region has healthcare facilities at par with metros as far as primary and secondary healthcare is concerned but people have to rely on medical facilities either in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad or Pune for speciality treatments.

read more:- http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-11/news/31669386_1_medical-facilities-healthcare-sector-healthcare-facilities

20-bed rehabilitation centres to stem malnutrition malaise

In view of the high incidence of child malnutrition and starvation in the northern parts of the State, the government has decided to open 20-bed nutrition rehabilitation centres in all government medical college hospitals in north Karnataka.

These centres will come up in government medical college hospitals in Raichur, Bidar, Bellary, Belgaum and Hubli.

Minister for Medical Education S.A. Ramdas, in a note, said the decision to set up such rehabilitation centres was taken following the recommendation by Karnataka High Court judge N.K. Patil, who heads the nine-member committee constituted by the High Court to prepare an action plan to tackle child malnutrition in the State.

The committee is to submit its interim report in June. The committee said that official figures indicate there are 68,000 malnutrition cases in the State.

With the financial support of the Infosys Foundation, a guesthouse would be constructed on the premises of the the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubli.

The guesthouse would provide accommodation to relatives of patients. The construction cost of the guesthouse is Rs. 5 crore, the note said.

Centres will come up in Raichur, Bidar, Bellary, Belgaum, Hubli medical college hospitals

Guesthouse to come up in KIMS-Hubli,for relatives of patients

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3467341.ece

Medi Hope, a super speciality hospital and research centre has been set up in Bangalore at Indiranagar, Malleshpalya. Founded by Dr Amit Agarwal, it is designed and constructed using advanced technology, it claimed.

Having a capacity of 200 beds, with prominent surgeons and excellent infrastructure, the hospital complies with international guide lines and provides advanced medical treatment.

The hospital is equipped with modular seamless operation theatres, OTs with laminar air flow and laminar shields, 1.5 Tesla MRI, 64 slice spiral and cardiac CT scan, bone densitometry, etc.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/251737/city-gets-hospital.html

The State government, which is planning to amend the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, has constituted a five-member commission headed by economist Mahendra S. Kanthi to redraw the boundaries of gram panchayats, upgrade some into town panchayats and decide on the term of gram panchayat president.

Dr. Kanthi, who obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, the U.S., is a professor in the Department of Economics, Saginaw Valley State University, Michigan, the U.S. Dr. Kanthi, who has specialised in ‘Economic Development (Socio-Economic Considerations and Third World Economies)', was also a member of the Third State Finance Commission of the State government and continues to be member of the Implementation Committee of the commission. He shared his impressions and observations with The Hindu.

click the URL to know more
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3474100.ece

Bangalore, Jun 13 (PTI) Karnataka Government would set up a rehabilitation centre on a 250-acre plot near the district headquarters town of Belgaum for HIV-AIDS affected children, Medical Education Minister S A Ramadass said today.

Speaking at the release of a documentary here, he said 300 such children have already been identified and hoped the centre would become operational by next month.

The rehabilitation centre is a first-of-its-kind in the country, Ramadass said.

For more read taaza (http://news.taaza.com/news/967606-karnataka-government-setting-up-acre-rehab-centre-for-hiv-aids-children.html)

Karnataka focussing on health tourism

Declaring Karnataka’s intent to promote Bangalore as a Health Tourism hub, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today exhorted private hospitals to join hands with the state government to attract global health tourists. "We are keen on transforming Bangalore into a hub of Health Tourism. We need the support of hospitals, such as Cloudnine, which are bringing the latest medical technology to the city and its people," Gowda said inaugurating the second centre of Cloudnine Hospital. Echoing Gowda's views, Home Minister R Ashok pointed out that several patients from Pakistan were getting treated in Bangalore. "We have to reach a stage wherein we have patients from the US and other developed nations. We are keen on promoting Bangalore as the hub of Health tourism," he said. Ashok also said the government wanted the health scheme "Vajpayee Arogyasiri Yojane" to reach every deserving person in the state and expect private hospitals' cooperation in implementing it effectively. The new centre has a total built-up area of 50,000 sq feet with an estimated investment of Rs 20 crores, Cloudline CEO and MD Kishore Kumar said. http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/karnataka-focussing-on-health-tourism/1011362.html

Red Cross opens help desk at Lady Goschen
TNN Jun 20, 2012 (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-20/mangalore/32334577_1_blood-bank-new-schemes-ircs)

MANGALORE: For the first time in the state, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) has opened a help desk in the 165-year-old Government Lady Goschen Hospital here on Tuesday. Two volunteers attached to the DK district unit of IRCS will work round-the-clock in the helpdesk to assist patients and their family members. They will provide help to reach their respective wards and other assistances.

The IRCS help desk also launched two new schemes - 'Akshaya Sanjivini' and 'Akshaya Ambara'. Under the Akshaya Sanjivini scheme, people can donate medicines and these medicines will be distributed to needy patients and under the Akshaya Ambara scheme clothes collected from the donors will be given to poor patients and their children.


Lady Goschen Hospital superintendent M Shakunthala urged IRCS chairman Dr Shantaram Shetty and Corporation Bank chairman and managing director Ajai Kumar, to help the hospital to set up a blood bank since the hospital requires as many as 60 units of blood every day. She said two employees attached to IRCS in help desk would also receive complaints about flaws of the hospital.

Dr Shetty also said that the cost of setting up a blood bank would be around Rs 50 lakh. "However, Corporation Bank has come forward to help start a blood storage center at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh in the hospital," he added. A section of students of Beasant Women's College Youth Indian Red Cross Society donated used clothes and medicines to the IRCS helpdesk.

Chief Minister D V Sadanand Gowda and Medical Education minister S A Ramdas inaugurated a 20-bebed Neonatal ICU at Vani Vilas Hospital. The facility will help treating the pre-mature babies or babies born with some complications.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/speednewsshow/14317548.cms

The newly constructed neonatal and paediatric intensive care units (NICU and PICU) at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in the City are awaiting inauguration by the chief minister for the past two months.

The 147-year-old hospital, the oldest healthcare facility in the Capital is located in the heart of the City and caters mainly to the residents of Shivajinagar and surrounding areas.

According to statistics, at least 20 deliveries are conducted per day in the hospital. However, the hospital lacks the healthcare facilities required for newborns.

Sources said that there had been many a fatality due to non-availability of a neo-natal intensive care unit in the hospital. “Many babies suffer from breathing problems soon after birth. They need ventilator and incubators to sustain them. Our hospital did not have such facilities,” the source said.

In the absence of critical care facilities, the babies were referred to either the Vani Vilas Hospital or the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health for further treatment.

Poor patients

The three-month-old Afreen, reportedly injured by her father, was also referred from Bowring Hospital to Vani Vilas Hospital for want of paediatric intensive care unit. A majority of patients visiting the Bowring Hospital belong to Below Poverty Line and lower middle class families.

Though a provision has been made for neonatals with six separate beds, a complete unit dedicated to children with 14 NICU beds and 10 PICU beds and a dedicated ward will certainly be a boon for the patients.

Exclusive staff

The government has recruited five junior resident doctors, 30 staff nurses and 10 group ‘D’ employees exclusively for these units.

Denying that the delay had been on account of the wait for the chief minister, Dr H Satish Chandra, Medical Superintendent, Bowring Hospital, said some final work was yet to be completed on the two units.

“All the medical units are just stacked up. We still need to set up the wards. The work should be complete in about three days,” he said.


http://www.deccanherald.com/content/256309/neonatal-care-units-await-inauguration.html

BANGALORE, JUNE 7:
Toyota Kirloskar Motors will make its foray into the healthcare space with its first hospital in Karnataka. The first hospital is expected to start in May next year, in partnership with a Japanese company, Mr Vikram Kirloskar, Vice-Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said at the Global Investors Meet 2012 today.

Meanwhile, Kirloskar will continue its investment in the auto and auto component sectors. The company expects to roll out about 3,00,000 cars next year, Mr Kirloskar said.

The company is interested in Karnataka as "policies have been consistent here, despite change of leadership parties," Mr Kirloskar said, adding that incentives that were agreed upon when the first investment was made continues, and the incentives have neither been changed nor withdrawn.
BL (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3500364.ece)

Hetal Vyas, TNN Jun 13, 2012, 08.25PM IST

BANGALORE: This maternity hospital in Bangalore holds a unique record. Since its inception about five years back in January 2007 at Jayanagar, the hospital staff has successfully helped delivering 10,000 kids without a single case of infant mortality.

Inaugurating the second branch of the hospital on Wednesday at Old Madras Road, Transport Minister of Karnataka R Ashoka said: "I am completely impressed with the Hospital's record. Cloudnine is earmarked for quality healthcare for baby and mother. It is not a small effort when 10,000 babies are delivered successfully and I want the number to reach 1 lakh." Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda too praised the hospital. He said: "I thank Dr Kishore Kumar, CEO&M.D, Cloudnine for this remarkable achievement. I feel half the responsibility of Government has been fulfilled by Kishore and his team."

The new centre of the hospital has a total built up area of 50,000 square feet with an estimated investment of Rs 20 crores. Displaying its uniqueness, the hospital has separate designated areas for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Pediatrics consultations, as the hospital administration believes each is a speciality field where patients require undivided attention.

"We need many more hospitals with such dependable facilities. It is pleasing to see latest technologies devised in Cloudnine and I wish them all the best", said the CM.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-13/bangalore/32214409_1_hospital-staff-maternity-hospital-quality-healthcare)

ND Shiva Kumar, TNN Jun 19, 2012, 04.43PM IST

BANGALORE: The MRP of generic drug -- Ciprofloxacin 500 Tab (10s), an antibiotic -- is Rs 61.75. A branded antibiotic costs Rs 99.50. But, Karnataka government, will soon be selling Ciprofloxacin 500 Tab (10s) at Rs 13.30!

In a novel initiative, the Karnataka government is opening Generic Drugs Stores to sell generic drugs at subsidised rates, 50% less than the MRP, to benefit the poor and the middle class people.

The drug stores will be called the 'Janatha Bazaar Generic Drug Store'and the first store is being opened on June 21 in the premises of the Victoria Hospital. Medical education minister S A Ramdas said this facility will be made available in all the hospitals, which come under the medical education department.

The initiative is being introduced in collaboration with the Karnataka State Co-operative Consumer Federation Ltd. The government has given instructions to all the hospitals under the department to prescribe only generic drugs. '

The government is initiating this system for the first time in the history of the state. The medicines reach directly to the patients from the manufacturers. They will be sold 50% less than the MRP. And compared to the branded drugs, it would be much much cheaper. Majority of poor patients do not have any either the private or the public health insurance cover. The scheme will such people the most,'' said Ramdas.The minister said the government would take up awareness programme about generic drugs on a priority basis.'

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-19/bangalore/32316493_1_mrp-ciprofloxacin-subsidised-drugs)

Karnataka to set up Janatha Bazar generic drug stores to make available affordable drugs to poor patients (http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=69693&sid=1)
Free medical helpline for Karnataka (http://www.businessreviewindia.in/money_matters/free-medical-helpline-for-karnataka)
Clean water, healthcare in villages should be given priority (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article3474100.ece)

Luna Dewan

With the Indian system of medicine gaining popularity, the Department of AYUSH is coming up with a hospital facilitating ayurveda, homeopathy, yoga and unani at the epidemic hospital premises on Old Madras road very soon. Mr G.N. Sreekantaiah, Director, Department of AYUSH, Karnataka told Deccan Chronicle, “We have already sent a proposal to government. The hospital to come up will be equipped with 10 beds, an outpatient department (OPD) catering to all panchakarma (ayurveda, yoga, unani, naturopathy, siddha and homeopathy). For elderly patients who rely on Indian medicines, we have made plans for a separate geriatric ward at the hospital where special care will be provided to the elderly suffering especially from joint pains, arthritis and spondylitis."

“Currently, in the state, we have five hospitals under the AYUSH Department, but they specialize in only one form, one hospital for homeopathy, another for ayurveda and another for unani. So this hospital will be the first to cater to all forms of panchkarma," he added. The Indian system of medicine gaining acceptance across the world clearly manifested during the International conference on Yoga, Naturopathy and Arogya Expo (ICYN) – 2012 held in the city during February. He said, “The Indian systems of medication are easily available especially in rural areas and have relatively lower side-effects.”

Meanwhile, spreading its wing across the state, the Department of AYUSH has also put forward a proposal to come up with similar AYUSH hospitals in 15 taluks. He said, “There are 176 taluks across the state of Karnataka and currently we have small AYUSH hospitals only in 47. As per the budget proposal of 2012-13, by the end of 2013, we will be coming up with 15 more AYUSH hospitals in different taluks.”

DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/ayush-hospital-come-city-325)

Published: Saturday, Jun 23, 2012, 12:37 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: Bangalore | Agency: DNA

Union minister for labour and employment Mallikarjuna Kharge pulled up the state government for not allotting land for building ESI hospitals in Bommasandra and Doddaballapur.

Speaking at the opening of Apex Hi-Tech Institute building in Peenya on Friday, Kharge said the Centre had set aside Rs2,000 crore for building ESI hospitals. But the state government was not keen on allotting the land. “I’ve personally requested the state government many a time to allot land for the hospitals. However, no positive response has come so far. If the state allots land, the work for the 100-bed hospitals can begin immediately,” he said.

He said the state and central governments should cooperate in achieving all-round development of Karnataka. Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda, who too attended the function, said his government was committed to extend cooperation to the Centre for implementing developmental projects in the state. “We will also provide all amenities with regard to land,” he said. He lauded Kharge for his efforts in launching central schemes on a priority basis in the state.

State labour minister Bache Gowda and MLAs Muniraju and Srinivas were present at the function.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_kharge-pulls-up-state-for-not-allotting-land-for-esi-hospitals_1705728)

Karnataka govt clears pharma projects valued at Rs.550 cr during global investors meet (http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=69465&sid=1)

MYSORE: Age-old and time-tested ayurveda seems to be the preferred choice of many a Mysorean even when modern medicine rules the roost elsewhere. People from outside too are flocking to doctors and hospitals extending the ancient Indian system of medicine for treatment.

When parents of K Shwetha, a native of Belthday in Periyapatna taluk, got her diagnosed, they realized that she was suffering from arthritis. They approached doctors in Mysore and Bangalore, but the bone-related ailment persisted. "My daughter is feeling good after we chose ayurvedic medicine for her. She is slowly recovering now," said Shwetha's mother Mahima.

"Patients usually find ayurveda as a solution after trying other kinds of modern medicines. They come in wheelchair, but step out walking" said Dr Gurubasavaraj, chief medical officer of JSS Ayurvedic Hospital. "Ayurveda is not merely a science of treating, but is also an art of living," he added. More patients are turning to the age-old way of treatment. "On an average, around 100 patients from all walks of life visit the hospital. Ayurveda has answers to most of modern-day illnesses," he said, adding: "For Mysoreans, arthritis is a major health problem, which is a direct result of change in lifestyle and food habits. Even youths are developing health problems like obesity."

World Health Organization has considered ayurveda as part of healthcare system and $65,000 million is the turnover of the herbal marketing across the world. "Even MNCs find ayurveda worthy of investment," Dr Gurubasavaraj added.

"Modern system of medicine can only work in emergencies like cardiac arrest. But for diseases related to skin, complaints like headaches and migraine, and ortho problems like arthiritis and splondiosis, ayurveda is favoured," emphasized Dr N V Krishnamurthy, professor and HoD of post-graduation in Panchakarma.

Panchakarma treatment has more demand among all ayurvedic treatment, and even foreigners opt for it. About 70% patients from Mysore and surrounding places opt for ayurveda, and 15% of them are foreigners," he said. Response to ayurveda treatment is slow compared to modern medicine, but nevertheless, it treats completely and has no side-effects. "Cost of treatment is also low. Corporates and techies find ayurveda as best stress-buster. The demand for this is substantially increasing for the past 10 years," he added.

Ebin, a businessman from Kottyam in Kerala, who has admitted his father suffering from disk complaints to an ayurvedic hospital in Mysore, said: "I tried all possible treatments in Kerala, but to no avail. My father is recovering here," he said, with a smile.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-16/mysore/32268920_1_ayurveda-ayurvedic-treatment-panchakarma)

Khomba Singh, ET Bureau Jun 25, 2012, 04.41AM IST

If Dr Devi Prasad Shetty's vision comes true, most Indians will have access to quality healthcare. Dr Shetty says the cost of healthcare in India can come down by 50% in the next 5-10 years, and this will be forced on the hospitals by the government if service providers do not get their act together. "If you are going to say the cost of a heart surgery is 3 lakh for a rich man, it is fine. But for somebody who has sold his house, it is unacceptable," he says.

Shetty, who pioneered the low-cost treatment model, said the lower cost is achievable if hospitals increased the number of procedures by 1,000 times. The volume will be generated by the poor who cannot afford the current treatment cost, but will soon have a smart card with the health insurance provided by government.

Asked if this was a utopian idea, Shetty points to the trend in the US. "If you want to predict the future of healthcare, look at what happened in the US. Whatever happens there, happens here after 10 years."

In the US, the government and private insurers are the biggest providers of healthcare, who also dictate the cost of treatment. In India too, the government will become the largest health insurance provider and hospitals will have to provide treatment within the cap provide by the medical insurance policy. "You have no choice. Both private and public hospitals can't say that they won't treat the scheme patient." In a stern warning to his peers, he says that the private sector has failed to serve the needs of the society. "Ifyou have to survive, you will have to change. The entire rule of this industry will change," he cautions.

In the US and Europe, elections are contested on the issue of healthcare. When politicians realise that their coming back to power depends on the policy of healthcare, they will also, to some extent, become unreasonable. "They will bring about lot of regulation to take care of the poor," Dr Shetty says.

The Indian healthcare sector is projected to double its size to $100 billion by 2015, according to rating agency Fitch. But unlike developed markets, more than 80% Indians pay for medical expenses from their own pocket and medical cost is one of the main reasons of people going into debt.

The cardiac surgeon says the move will also benefit the industry if it adopted the change by becoming efficient. "Who needs marble flooring and central air-conditioning in hospitals? People think air-conditioning prevents infection, but that is the cause of infections in most hospitals. The best sanitation in a hospital is sunlight and fresh air," he adds.

He cited his company's example of building a 150-bed hospital in Mysore for 30 crore at a fifth of the industry's cost. "It has no air-conditioning but good cross-ventilation. Government also gave land at a low cost," he said.

He says that while there is a market for luxury hospitals because there are people who can afford it, one should not plan one's business focusing on them because the bulk of the business will come from the poor.

Many hospitals have realised that our costs are unrealistic and they had to do something about it. If the industry does not regulate itself, policymakers are not going to keep quiet. "The government will also attack. We don't have the moral right to expect the government to help us," he said.

Dr Shetty is convinced that India will prove to the world that healthcare can be separated from affluence. "After 10 years, we will still have millions of people living withno proper drainage system, but will have access to quality healthcare. This country isgoing to prove that youdon't need to be rich toavail healthcare."

He says the government should continue to provide land at concessional rates to hospitals despite some undesired outcomes. Several state governments have given land at hugely subsidised rates to companies and trusts for building healthcare centres on the condition that certain percentage of the hospitals will provide free treatment to the poor. However, it was found that many hospitals did not.

He urged the government to have a strong regulatory body to monitor private hospitals to ensure that they carry out what they had committed and deserving ones avail the provision. "Just because you can't monitor does not mean that the concept is wrong. Clearly spell out the deliverables, and hospitals will have to deliver."

Dr Shetty plans to replicate his low-cost model globally. In a step towards that, his organisation is setting up a 150-bed hospital in the Cayman Islands, and in Miami through a joint venture with a local firm. In India, it plans to set up hospitals in all Indian towns with a population of 5-10 lakh.

Narayana Hrudayalaya currently runs 5,500 beds across 14 hospitals in 11 cities, all under one brand. Dr Shetty says the family has no intention of diluting or selling its 75% stake in the company.

"We are eccentric people. We are in the business because we want to help the underprivileged and the cost of healthcare to come down. For that, I need the freedom."

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-25/news/32409047_1_healthcare-sector-150-bed-hospital-narayana-hrudayalaya)

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TH (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/article2523598.ece)

http://nammagulbarga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ESI-Hospital-Gulbarga.jpg
Namma Gulbarga (http://nammagulbarga.com/gulbarga-news/foundation-stone-laying-of-esi-para-medical-institute-gulbarga)

What is the status?

http://www.globalshiksha.com/images/colleges/201106081401468726_14606.png
globalkrishna (http://www.globalshiksha.com/listing/?type=college&city=Bijapur&state=Karnataka)

http://daarisoftware.com/sbp/Images/Dental01.jpg
daarisoftware (http://daarisoftware.com/sbp/Dentalhospital.html)

Order issued for generic drug outlets in 20 districts: Minister

rugs purchase policy shortly

Minister for Medical Education S.A. Ramdas has said that the Government issued an order on Thursday for setting up generic drug outlets in 20 districts.

The Minister added that the outlets would be named after the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. They will sell generic and branded drugs at subsidised cost.

Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Ramdas, who is in-charge of Mysore district, announced that the Atal Generic Drug House in Mysore will open in July.

Mr. Ramdas said that the Department of Medical Education was in the process of framing a policy for the purchase of drugs and it will be introduced shortly.

read more:- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/article3587441.ece

District hospital gets ICU unit

Madikeri, July 1, 2012, DHNS: The long pending demands of the people of Kodagu district to have an ICU unit and dialysis centre at district government hospital will be realised within a month.

The people of Kodagu had to depend on district government hospitals in Mysore and Mangalore to avail the emergency services. There were several instances, where the patient had succumbed to the injuries, before reaching Mangalore or Mysore, owing to lack of ICU facility.

The work on ICU and dialysis centre has been completed and the work on central oxygen system is under progress. The unit will start functioning within a week. The dialysis centre is being set up at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh. More than one crore has been spent on the ICU and dialysis centre.

read more:- http://www.deccanherald.com/content/261080/district-hospital-gets-icu-unit.html

GIM-2012 Housing, Education & Healthcare MOUs
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'Bill to regulate pvt hospitals to be tabled'

Minister SA Ramdas said on Friday that the bill to regulate private hospitals will be tabled in the legislative sessions starting next week.

Indicating that he is keen to continue as the medical education minister, Ramdas said, his focus lies in making medical treatment cost effective for the poor. "The government is planning to reserve beds in private hospitals, including multi-specialty facilities, and regulate the charges for the treatment," Ramdas told reporters atop Chamundi Hills. "When I proposed this move, there were oppositions. But we've moved ahead and worked out a plan. The bill will be tabled in the assembly," he said. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mysore/Bill-to-regulate-pvt-hospitals-to-be-tabled/articleshow/14873961.cms

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cross posting

Nandita Vijay, Bengaluru
Thursday, July 12, 2012, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

Karnataka health and family welfare department has planned to invest Rs.83 crore under the National Rural Health Mission(NRHM) where it is in the process of finalizing the public private partnerships (PPP) for five infrastructure projects that will help spur the healthcare activities and make the services more efficient in the state. The project is structured under BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer )will span for a period of five years.

The five projects are for the establishment of MRI centres at the Medical College Hospitals, provide dialysis services at Taluka level hospitals, set up a lab and diagnostic centre at district hospitals, facility management of two government hospitals in Bengaluru and a geriatric clinic cum in-patient wards at district hospitals on corporate social responsibility(CSR) mode, according to officials.

The establishment of MRI centres at Medical Colleges located at Belgaum, Shimoga, Mandya Bidar, Raichur and Hasan will cost Rs.40 crore. It will enhance the service capabilities at these facilities, expand the teaching capabilities, help provide the services to large number of underserved population at the neared possible location. It would also improve the quality medical care penetration in the state. The model could be replicated at other government hospitals. Currently the service charges for MRI is high and makes it unaffordable for the patients below the poverty line. Now these MRI centres will allow the underserved patients the access.

Setting up for dialysis services at taluka level hospitals located at Bijapur, Gulbarga and Raichur at the cost of Rs.18 crore for which the pre feasibility studies were submitted in May by the directorate of health and family welfare. The dialysis service centres will now offer patient at an affordable cost. These patients will not need to travel far to get dialysis every time, said the officials.

The opening up of laboratory and diagnostic centres at the district hospitals in Gulbarga, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada at a cost of Rs.18 crore will help perform tests at the district government hospitals.

The directorate of health and facility welfare has also submitted a pre feasibility report on the setting up of facility management of two government hospitals at the KC General and Jayanagar hospitals in Bengaluru at a cost of Rs.4 crore. The objective of the project is to deliver all non-clinical serviced of the hospital including housekeeping, dietary, ambulance, mechanical laundry among others. It will address the need to improve and develop the hospital infrastructure. It will enable hospital management and medical personnel on focusing on healthcare delivery along. Patients will also get more satisfaction in terms of service quality, clean environment, safety and patient centric attitude of the staff. The model can be replicated in other district hospitals and scaled up to include additional services based on requirements.

In order to address the needs of the vulnerable old patients, the state government is keen to have a dedicated geriatric clinic cum inpatient wards at the district hospitals on CSR mode. The districts identified are Gulbarga, Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada at cost of Rs.3 crore.

The state has made its efforts at the Global Investors Meet held last month in Bengaluru to see that the right partnerships are attracted for these projects, said Dr EV Ramana Reddy, secretary, Karnataka health and family welfare.

Pharmabiz (http://pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=70014&sid=1)

http://epapervijayavani.in/epaperimages/1382012/1382012-md-hr-3/12431687.JPGhttp://epapervijayavani.in

x-post

Noted doctor urges Karnataka CM to provide free healthcare

Healthcare should be free and be made a fundamental right, a city-based cardiac surgeon said.

Dr Devi Shetty,chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals, appealed to chief minister Jagadish Shettar to make this idea come true.

He was speaking during the inauguration of Healthex International 2012 on Friday.

“If healthcare is available for free and as a fundamental right, a lot of problems in the country will be solved,” he said. The two-day convention-cum-exhibition will feature talks by top doctors on the progress made in the field of medicine.

While the state government or the Centre is yet to provide citizens with free healthcare, Shettar said his government had provided thousands of Bangaloreans with optimum health care.

Karnataka is slowly becoming a health destination. But more than that, the needy are getting treated. This fiscal, `40 crores has been spent so far from the chief minister’s medical treatment fund, he said.

Apart from that, Rs4 crore has been spent on the treatment for people who come below the poverty line (BPL). About 3,300 needy patients received free heart surgeries.

The state has not seen a single registered case of polio in the past five years, he said.

Aravind Limbavali, minister for health and family welfare, said doctors should come together at such conferences to understand and tackle future healthcare issues.

“One of the challenges we are going to face is treating an increasing population of the elderly in the country. Currently, programmes such as Vajpayee Agroshree and Yashaswini Scheme, a scheme that provides health care for rural farmers, are doing well in the state,” he said.

But it is imperative that doctors should fulfil their requirement of spending one year treating the rural poor in the country, he added.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_noted-doctor-urges-karnataka-cm-to-provide-free-healthcare_1738333

India's 1st medical college established by ESIC declared open
Bangalore: The country's first medical college established by Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) was declared open here on Saturday, marking the organisation's foray into the education sector, apart from health care.


ESIC plans to set up in all eight medical colleges across the country and is ready to start at least four of these colleges next year if Medical Council of India (MCI) accords all approvals, Minister for Labour and Emloyment M Mallikarjun Kharge said.

Kharge urged all state governments to ensure establishment of a "single window agency" to grant all approvals such as fire force clearance, electricity board approval and others under one-roof to projects which are of national importance and for people welfare. "Everybody is afraid of RTI. In the name of transparency, many development works are held up. Many officials are scared to take decisions. We should set a time frame to give clearances. Getting land allotment itself a major worry", Kharge said.

The labour ministry has spent Rs 3,000 crore on various projects being implemented by ESIC, he said adding another medical college would soon come up in Gulbarga, his home district. Earlier, inaugurating the Medical College, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said government has decided to open three to four medical colleges in different parts of the country in the coming years.

The minister urged entrepreneurs from the South to come forward to establish more medical colleges in the North and North-East to produce more number of doctors. Azad said the Centre has accorded Deemed university status to National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bangalore, a measure that would give the organisation more autonomy.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar promised all support to the ESIC projects and said his government has earmarked Rs 554 crore in its budget for workers' welfare. Opposition Congress leader Siddaramaiah, former union minister Oscar Fernandes, former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman K Rehman Khan, MLAs-- R Roshan Baig, N L Narendra Babu and Priya Krishna were present.

Govt moots Right to Health Act (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Govt-moots-Right-to-Health-Act/articleshow/16345765.cms)

MANGALORE: If everything goes as per plan, Karnataka will be the first state to have a Right to Health (RTH) Act, which would make it mandatory to provide healthcare to all citizens.

The government is contemplating implementing the act, but plans are at a preliminary stage and it will require a series of consultations with experts, said minister for health and family welfare Aravind Limbavalli.

Interacting with reporters after reviewing the performance of the health and family welfare department here, the minister said the main objective of RTH Act will be to ensure total healthcare to people in both rural and urban areas.

"The idea of introducing such an act was mooted by cardiac surgeon Deviprasad Shetty during an international conference. A committee of experts will be set up soon to discuss the pros and cons of the act," he said. He said that posts of 899 specialists and 171 doctors are vacant in the state.

"We are making all out efforts to fill all the vacancies. District health officers have been given powers to appoint doctors on contract basis. We also have instructed officials to hire the services of specialists from private hospitals on hourly basis to provide speciality treatment to needy patients," he said.

Mangalore : Govt to Release 9 crore for Wenlock Hospital Development (http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=149298)

Mangalore:Sept 11 (DHN): State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Aravind Limbavali gave the nod to develop infrastructure at District Wenlock Hospital at a cost of Rs nine crore. The fund, which was released to the district administration but not utilised so far will be used for amenities at the hospital.

Speaking to reporters during his visit to Wenlock Hospital on Monday, he said that he would issue an order to the Deputy Commissioner directing to utilise the allotted amount for renovation and improving dialysis centre, ventilators facility in the ICU.

“The administration of Wenlock Hospital which was in the hands of the Medical Education Department so far, has been now handed over to the Health Department. The order for the same is yet to be issued. Once the formalities are completed, the Health Department will take up initiatives to chalk out plans to upgrade the hospital,” he added.

He said the Department has taken the initiative to provide health care to the poor by extending Vajpayee Arogyashri health scheme to cover BPL families in Bangalore and Mysore revenue divisions. The scheme will be launched in these two regions at the earliest. It will cover 135 hospitals and the government will bear the surgery cost of the patients with BPL card. The government will bear medical expenses upto Rs 1.5 lakh.

Speaking on recruiting Ayush doctors in the hospitals to solve the shortage of MBBS doctors, he said the process of recruiting them in the taluk hospitals is under progress. The Department is also contemplating to recruit them in Primary Health Centres in case of necessity.
The government has also begun discussions on the introduction of Right to Health care act. In a recent meeting attended by the Chief Minister and expert doctors, the doctors too have favoured the need to implement the Act, he said.

Responding to the request of nurses to regularise their services, the Minister said the Chief Minister has already constituted a Cabinet committee for the purpose. The committee would take dicision on regularising the services of 5000 male and female nurses who were hired on contract basis. The issue will be discussed in the meeting and the decision will be taken, said Limbavali.

Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat submitted a memorandum to the Minister. The demands included, improve facilities in jail ward and psychiatry ward of Wenlock Hospital, upgrading ICU, staff quarters, open a super speciality wing, upgrading the 250 bed Lady Goschen Hospital to 500 bed.

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State to get three more ESI hospitals

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Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge said three more Employment State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospitals will come up in the state for the benefit of the workers.

Inaugurating the ESIC model hospital-Jayadeva Institute of Cardiac Sciences and Research on Tuesday, Kharge said, “The ESIC hospitals with 100-bed capacity will come up in Doddaballapura, Bommasandra and Nanjangud. Centre will grant Rs 100 crore for the establishment of the hospitals.”....

source:http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article609390.ece

http://nammagulbarga.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/ESI-Hospital-Gulbarga.jpg
Namma Gulbarga (http://nammagulbarga.com/gulbarga-news/foundation-stone-laying-of-esi-para-medical-institute-gulbarga)

What is the status?

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ESI Hosptial Gulbarga



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ESI Medical College

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Stadium For ESI



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Community Center


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Auditorium

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Guest House

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Type 2 Mens Hostel


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Type 2 Women Hostel



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Type 4 residences


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VC House


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ESI hospital Mysore

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Thanks a lot for those updates Sunil :cheers:

ESIC 100 Bedded Hospital at Davangere, Karnataka

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ESIC 100 BEDDED HOSPITAL AT HUBLI, KARNATAKA

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ESI Hosptial Gulbarga



Contd..

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http://skylinearchitect.com/medical/med_gulberga.html

PROPOSED SRO OFFICE AT HUBLI


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http://skylinearchitect.com/office/of_srohubli.html

PROPOSED SRO OFFICE AT HUBLI






http://skylinearchitect.com/office/of_srohubli.html


This is what "Solu illada Sardara" Mr Kharge ji has to offer to Nation, State and City which has elected him. Apart from being instrumental in Article 371, Railway line b/w Bidar-Gulbarga, New superfast train b/w Blr-Glb, new Central Reserve Police academy in Gulbarga, Making Provident Fund Regional office in Gulbarga, opening ESI hospital in Bangalore. The good news is when he wins elections everytime his victory margin increases and it never depletes. !!!

^^
I dont know much about Kharge history, by looking into your statement I feel Kharge was the better choice than Dharamsingh for CM..:bash:

^^
I dont know much about Kharge history, by looking into your statement I feel Kharge was the better choice than Dharamsingh for CM..:bash:

Here is something abt Kharge. He has won 10 times consecutively MLA election and 1 time MP election


Mallikarjun Kharge, (born 21 July 1942) is an Indian politician and currently the Union Minister of Labour and Employment (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_of_Labour_and_Employment_%28India%29)[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallikarjun_Kharge#cite_note-0) of the Republic of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_India). He is a member of the 15th Lok Sabha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Lok_Sabha) of India (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India). He represents the Gulbarga (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulbarga_%28Lok_Sabha_constituency%29) constituency of Karnataka (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnataka) and is a member of the Indian National Congress (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Congress) (INC) political party.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallikarjun_Kharge#cite_note-1)
He is a senior Karnataka politician and was the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly prior to contesting the 2009 General Elections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_General_Election,_2009). Prior to that he was the President of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karnataka_Pradesh_Congress_Committee) during the 2008 Karnataka State Assembly Elections.


He has won elections for a record 10 consecutive times having won the Assembly elections for an unprecedented 9 consecutive times (1972, 1979, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2008) and the recent 2009 General Elections (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_General_Election,_2009) from Gulbarga. Kharge is considered a competent leader with a clean public image and well versed in the dynamics of politics, legislation and administration.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mallikarjun_Kharge#cite_note-2)

Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdass on Friday said that new government medical colleges would be established in Tumkur, Kodagu, Koppal, Chitradurga, Chickballapur and Chamarajanagar districts.

Speaking to presspersons, the Minister said that these districts and Gadag, Yadgir and Uttara Kannada districts and K.R. Nagar Cooperative Sugar Factory in Mysore district had applied for starting medical colleges. As per the Medical Council of India norms, those applicants with 300-bed hospital and 25 acres of land for establishing a college would get priority.

In hilly areas, those with a hospital in a 10-acre plot and another piece of land measuring 10 acres in a nearby area could also apply for a college. In view of the Union government’s plan to have more medical colleges in the next five years commensurate with the population and availability of doctors, the State government had decided to accept applications for setting up these colleges.

The Minister said a team from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences would inspect the sites where the proposed colleges were supposed to come up.

He said the government would write to the Centre agreeing to its direction for raising the number of beds in a hospital attached to the college to 400 from 250. As of now, 10 government medical colleges will have 250 seats each in Bangalore Medical College, Mangalore Medical College and Karnataka Institute of Medical Science, Hubli, 150 each in Belgaum, Raichur, Hassan, Mandya, Shimoga and Bidar and 200 in Bellary for 2013-14.

Mr. Ramdas said there was a proposal to start postgraduate courses in six colleges at Belgaum, Mandya, Shimoga, Hassan, Bidar and Raichur. Arrangements had been made to recruit 2,500 lecturers and other technical staff, nurses and paramedics and infrastructure would be created in due course.

He said that those candidates, who were selected on the All India merit would be posted to north Indian and northeastern states for one year as part of the Union government’s plan for serving the people in these States which did not enough doctors. Applications for starting medical colleges had come from nine organisations and six were pending before the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences.

Asked whether he approved the appointment of Bangalore University Vice Chancellor N. Prabhu Dev as Chairman of the State Health Commission, Mr. Ramdas said that he was not opposed to the setting up the commission, but it should work under his Department, so that there would be no parallel power centres. He said he was yet to see file on the appointment.

TH (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/6-more-medical-colleges-to-come-up-in-karnataka/article3925815.ece)

World Bank Group : $70 Million for Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project, India – Over a 1000 Public Health Facilities in Rural Areas Are Now Open 24 Hours a Day

09/27/2012 | 04:10pm US/Eastern

WASHINGTON, September 27, 2012 - The World Bank today approved a $70 million additional credit to the Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project to further support development of the state's health system, particularly in underserved areas and among vulnerable groups.

This Project builds on the successful experience of the original $ 141.83 million Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project. The original Project has been contributing to the state's health system by building capacities and systems to improve state and central government spending on health. It has made progress in a number of health indicators - the proportion of births delivered in a health facility has risen from 65 percent in 2005-06 to 86 percent in 2009; the proportion of children fully immunized has increased from 55 percent in 2005-06 to 78 percent in 2009 (against a target of 80 percent); and 96 mobile health clinics are operational (against a target of 97). According to a 2011 health facility survey done by the Project, 83 percent of public health centers (PHCs) had a doctor present at the time of the survey, compared to only 35 percent in 2004; in 2011, 89 percent of PHCs had a functional labor room, compared to 67 percent in 2004. Today over a 1000 PHCs across the state function 24 hours a day.

The Project has supported the state government in the areas of public health standards and health care waste management. It has also made significant contribution to the state government's initiatives in health financing by purchasing hospital services for poor beneficiaries - to date, a total of 19,000 patients have benefited from services they would otherwise have had great difficulty in accessing.

The additional financing, approved today, will continue to support the state government's strategy to improve health services in the areas of primary and maternal health care, quality assurance, public-private contracting, and purchasing of hospital services for the poor. The Project will also support new strategies for non-communicable disease control and road safety.

"Over the past two decades Karnataka has made significant progress in the health sector. At the same time, socio-economic disparities in the utilization of basic health services still exist. This Project, we hope, will continue to contribute to the government's efforts at improving health services for mothers and children, particularly among poor and vulnerable populations," said Onno R

http://www.4-traders.com/news/World-Bank-Group-$70-Million-for-Karnataka-Health-System-Development-and-Reform-Project-India-%96-O--15240852/

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore February 26, 2007

Bangalore's first full-fledged department of geriatrics medicine has been launched by Manipal Hospital.

It is the first such effort in Karnataka, said R Basil, MD and CEO, Manipal Health Systems, which runs Manipal Hospital. The department will focus on health promotion, prevention and treatment of diseases, and disability among senior citizens.

Geriatricians treat people who are 60 and above with one or more medical conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic bronchitis and arthritis.

This includes patients who take three or more medications for health problems and those with problems like poor eye sight and hearing, dizziness, poor nutrition, lack of control over urine and stools, sleep disorders, accidental falls and fractures, and osteoporosis.

Geriatricians are predominantly primary care physicians with board certification in internal medicine or family practice and are trained to prevent and manage the multiple health concerns of the elderly.

They treat manage multiple disease symptoms and develop plans that address the special healthcare needs of the aged.

Nagendra Swamy, group medical director, Manipal Health Systems, said, "The team includes consultant geriatrician, nurses, social workers, nutritionist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, consultant pharmacist and psychiatrist."

Swamy has roped in Dr Nagesh G Kavi, consultant geriatrician of the hospital, from the United States.

BS (www.business-standard.com/india/news/manipal-hospital-adds-geriatrics-department/275899/)

Manipal varsity R&D centre for geriatric care (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/article3958244.ece)

ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಶೀಘ್ರ ಕೆಎಲ್ಇ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ಕಾಲೇಜ್



ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ : ಕೆಎಲ್*ಇ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಸ ವ್ಯೆದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಮಹಾವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಶೀಘ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರಂಭಿಸಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯ ಕಾರ್ಯಾಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಡಾ. ಪ್ರಭಾಕರ ಕೋರೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ನಗರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಂಗಳವಾರ ಸುದ್ದಿಗಾರರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ಇದಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಮೂರುಸಾವಿರ ಮಠ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯ ಹೃದಯಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ 25 ಎಕರೆ ಜಮೀನನ್ನು ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗೆ ದಾನವಾಗಿ ನೀಡಿದೆ. ಮಹಾವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯ ಮಠದ ಹಿರಿಯ ಶ್ರೀ ಮೂಜಗಂ ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಜಮೀನನ್ನು 'ಎನ್*ಎ' ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು, ಕಟ್ಟಡದ ನೀಲನಕ್ಷೆ ತಯಾರಿಕೆ, ಸರಕಾರದಿಂದ ಅನುಮತಿ ಪಡೆಯುವುದು ಒಳಗೊಂಡು ಇತರೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳು ನಡೆದಿವೆ. ಮೂರ*್ನಾಲ್ಕು ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ಕೆಲಸವನ್ನೂ ಆರಂಭಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದು ಕೈಗೂಡಿದರೆ ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಮತ್ತು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಮತ್ತಷ್ಟು ಬಲಿಷ್ಠಗೊಳ್ಳಲಿದೆ ಎಂಬ ವಿಶ್ವಾಸ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಪಡಿಸಿದರು.

ಈ ಮಹಾವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದ ಮೊದಲ ಹಂತದ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಕೆಎಲ್*ಇ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ 300 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳನ್ನು ವೆಚ್ಚ ಮಾಡಲಿದೆ. ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ಸೌಕರ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ 500 ಹಾಸಿಗೆಗಳ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯೂ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲೂ ಇದರ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ವಿಶಿಷ್ಟವಾಗಿರುವಂತೆ ನೋಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುತ್ತದೆ. ದೇಶದ ಇತರೆ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಮಹಾವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯಗಳಿಗೆ ಇದು ಮಾದರಿಯಾಗಲಿದೆ ಎಂದರು.

ಕೆಎಲ್*ಇ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಜಾಗತಿಕವಾಗಿ ಹೆಸರು ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಜೆಎನ್*ಎಂಸಿಯೂ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರತಲ್ಲ. ಬೆಳಗಾವಿ ಯಳ್ಳೂರ ಬಳಿ 40 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳ ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತ್ಯಾಧುನಿಕ ಅನುಕೂಲತೆ ಹೊಂದಿದ 500 ಹಾಸಿಗೆಗಳ ಹೊಸ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ನಿರ್ಮಾಣ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದು, ಮುಕ್ತಾಯದ ಹಂತದಲ್ಲಿದೆ. ಇದರ ಜತೆಗೆ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಂಬಂಧಿ ಹೊಸ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳನ್ನು ರೂಪಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ರಾಜಕೀಯ: ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯ, ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ ಸ್ವಾತಂತ್ರ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಅವಕಾಶ ಇರುವುದರಿಂದ ಕೆಲ ಗೊಂದಲಗಳಿವೆ. ಅದೆಲ್ಲ ಸರಿಹೋಗುವ ಭಾವನೆ ತಮ್ಮದು. ಬಿಎಸ್ ಯಡಿಯೂರಪ್ಪನವರು ತಮ್ಮೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬರಲು ಇದುವರೆಗೆ ಕರೆದಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವರು ಆಹ್ವಾನ ನೀಡಲಿ ಮುಂದೆ ಆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸುತ್ತೇನೆ ಎಂದರು.

ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್*ನಲ್ಲಿ ಸರ್ವಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ಧೋರಣೆ ಇದೆ ಎಂದು ಬಿಜೆಪಿಯ ತತ್ವ ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತಗಳನ್ನು ಮೆಚ್ಚಿಕೊಂಡು ಬಂದಿದ್ದೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಡೆದಿರುವ, ನಡೆಯುತ್ತಿರುವ ಬೆಳವಣಿಗೆಗಳು ಅಸ್ತಿತ್ವಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊಡೆತ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಇದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ಸರಿಪಡಿಸಿರಿ ಎಂದು ಕೋರಲು ಆಪ್ತ ಸಂಸದರ ನಿಯೋಗವೊಂದನ್ನು ಕರೆದುಕೊಂಡು ವರಿಷ್ಠರನ್ನು ಕಾಣಲು ದಿಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೋಗುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಸ್ಪಂದನೆ ಸಿಗದಿದ್ದರೆ ನಾವೆಲ್ಲ ಆತ್ಮಾವಲೋಕನ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವುದು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಸೂಚ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಎಚ್ಚರಿಸಿದರು. ಜತೆಗೆ ಎಸ್.ಎಂ. ಕೃಷ್ಣ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಆಗಮನದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿಕ್ರಿಯಿಸಲು ನಿರಾಕರಿಸಿದರು.http://vijaykarnataka.indiatimes.com/articleshow/17021908.cms

Very Good News for Hubli-Dharwad People.

According to Mr Prabhakar Kore who addressed Press in Belgaum yesterday as follows..

* KLE is going to open Medical College and Hospital of 500 beds in Hubli.

* Moorusavira Math has given 25 acres of land to KLE free of cost in the heart of Hubli.

* KLE is naming the College as fomer Swamiji of Moorusavira Math - Sri Moojagam. ( I heard Mooruswamira Math trust has given land to KLE free of cost based on the condition, KLE has to name Medical College and Hospital as Sri Moojagam)

* KLE Hopital will be super speicality hospital having all facilities.

* Medical College will be role model for other medical colleges.

* KLE is spending Rs 300 crores in the first phase.

* At present, different works like NA of site, Building plans and getting permision from State government are under process.

* Construction may start in 3-4 months of time.
:)

Bangalore, Oct 29, 2012, DHNS:

The Centre for Public Health (CPH) will be launched soon on the campus of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Nimhans).

The centre, to be started with the support of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is designed to foster a public health perspective and also nurture public health approach in planning, programming and service delivery in the field of mental health and neurosciences.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/288754/nimhans-get-centre-public-health.html)

Vartha bharathi
http://vbepaper.com/epaperimages/4112012/4112012-md-hr-5/125124421.JPG

ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಘಟಕ

Udayavani | Nov 08, 2012

ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು: ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಹತ್ತು ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಘಟಕ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಿದೆ ಎಂದು ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಸಚಿವ ಎಸ್*.ಎ.ರಾಮದಾಸ್* ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಬುಧವಾರ ಪತ್ರಿಕಾಗೋಷ್ಠಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ಪ್ರತಿ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಘಟಕಕ್ಕೆ 60 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ವೆಚ್ಚವಾಗಲಿದ್ದು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರ 50 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳಷ್ಟು ನೆರವನ್ನು ನೀಡಲಿದೆ. ಇನ್ನುಳಿದ 10 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳನ್ನು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಭರಿಸಲಿದೆ. ಈ ವರ್ಷವೇ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಘಟಕಗಳ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಗೆ ಚಾಲನೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿದ್ವಾಯಿ ಸ್ಮಾರಕ ಗಂಥಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಇರುವುದರಿಂದ ಒತ್ತಡ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿದೆ. ದೂರದ ಊರುಗಳಿಂದ ಬರುವವರು ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ. ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಪತ್ತೆ ಹಾಗೂ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯ ತ್ವರಿತಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದೊರಕಿಸಿಕೊಡುವ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ಕ್ಯಾನ್ಸರ್* ಘಟಕ ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲು ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ಹೆಚ್ಚುವರಿ ಸೀಟು

ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೊಸದಾಗಿ ಏಳು ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವುದರಿಂದ 2013-14 ನೇ ಸಾಲಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ಕಾಲೇಜಿನಲ್ಲಿ 100 ರಂತೆ 700 ಎಂಬಿಬಿಎಸ್* ಸೀಟುಗಳು ಲಭ್ಯವಾಗಲಿವೆ. ಇದರ ಜತೆಗೆ ಹಾಲಿ ಇರುವ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳನ್ನು ಮೇಲ್ದರ್ಜೆಗೆ ಏರಿಸಲಾಗುತ್ತಿದು,ª ಅಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಸೀಟುಗಳ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಳ ಮಾಡಲಾಗುವುದು. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆ 1250 ರಿಂದ 1900 ಸೀಟುಗಳು ಹೆಚ್ಚುವರಿಯಾಗಿ ದೊರೆಯಲಿವೆ ಎಂದು ರಾಮದಾಸ್* ವಿವರಿಸಿದರು.

ಹೊಸ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿರ್ವಹಣೆಗೆ ಪ್ರತಿ ಕಾಲೇಜಿಗೆ 200 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ನಂತೆ 1,400 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ಅಗತ್ಯವಿದ್ದು, ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ಶೇ. 75 ರಷ್ಟು ಕೊಡುವುದಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಶೇ. 25 ರಷ್ಟು ಭರಿಸಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸೇವೆ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯ

ಮುಂದಿನ 2013-14 ನೇ ಸಾಲಿನಿಂದ ವೈದ್ಯರ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸೇವೆ ಕಡ್ಡಾಯಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರವೂ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಅನುಮತಿ ನೀಡಿದ್ದು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿಗಳ ಅಂಕಿತ ಮಾತ್ರ ಬೀಳಬೇಕಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಸಚಿವರು ಮಾಹಿತಿ ನೀಡಿದರು.

ಬರುವ 2013ರ ಫೆಬ್ರವರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ 6500 ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಎಂಬಿಬಿಎಸ್* ಪದವಿ ಪಡೆಯಲಿದ್ದು, ಆ ಪೈಕಿ 2400 ಅಭ್ಯರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಸ್ನಾತಕೋತ್ತರ ಪದವಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಅಖೀಲ ಭಾರತ ಕೋಟಾ ಹಾಗೂ ಹೊರರಾಜ್ಯದ ಖೋಟಾದಡಿ ಸೀಟು ಪಡೆದ 1500 ಮಂದಿಯನ್ನು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸೇವೆಗೆ ಕಳುಹಿಸಲಾಗುವುದು. ಅವರವರ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರು ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಉಳಿದವರು ನಮ್ಮ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಭಾಗದ ಪ್ರಾಥಮಿಕ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 1 ವರ್ಷ ಸೇವೆ ಮಾಡಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸೇವೆಯ ನಂತರವೇ ಪದವಿ ಪ್ರಮಾಣಪತ್ರ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಸರ್ಕಾರವು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಗೆ ಮೆಚ್ಚುಗೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದೆ. 2013-14 ನೇ ವರ್ಷದಿಂದ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಪದವಿ 6 ವರ್ಷದ್ದಾಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಒಂದು ವರ್ಷ ಗ್ರಾಮೀಣ ಸೇವೆಯೂ ಸೇರಿ ಕೋರ್ಸ್*ನ ಅವಧಿ ನಿಗದಿಗೊಳಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

ರಾಯಚೂರಿನ ಒಪೆಕ್* ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ವತಿಯಿಂದಲೇ ನಡೆಸಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ನೆರವು ಒದಗಿಸಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿ ನೇಮಕಗೊಳಿಸಿ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಇಲಾಖೆಯಿಂದ ನಡೆಸಲು ಕ್ರಮ ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗಿದೆ. 40 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗೆ ಸಂಪುಟ ಒಪ್ಪಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿದೆ. ಡಿ.1ರಿಂದ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಪುನರಾರಂಭಿಸಲು ನಿರ್ಧರಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ

ಉತ್ತರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಸಿರಸಿ ಅಥವಾ ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಗೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದಂತೆ ಎರಡೂ ತಾಲೂಕುಗಳಿಂದಲೂ ಇಲಾಖೆಗೆ ಇದುವರೆಗೂ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆಯೇ ಬಂದಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಸಚಿವ ರಾಮದಾಸ್* ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.

ಈ ಕುರಿತು ಸಚಿವರಾದ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರ ಹೆಗಡೆ ಕಾಗೇರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಆನಂದ್* ಅಸ್ನೋಟಿಕರ್* ಮಧ್ಯೆ ವಿವಾದ ಉಂಟಾಗಿರುವ ಕುರಿತ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೆ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದ ಅವರು, ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜುಗಳ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಅಗತ್ಯವಿರುವ 20 ಎಕರೆ ಜಮೀನು, 250 ಹಾಸಿಗೆಗಳ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಆಗಸ್ಟ್* ಅಂತ್ಯದೊಳಗೆ 3.50 ಲಕ್ಷ ರೂ. ಠೇವಣಿ ಪಾವತಿಸಿ ಅರ್ಜಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ, ಉತ್ತರ ಕನ್ನಡ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಿಂದ ಆಗಸ್ಟ್* ಅಂತ್ಯದವರೆಗೂ ಯಾವುದೇ ಪ್ರಸ್ತಾವನೆ ಬಂದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಈ ದಿನ ಬಂದಿರುವುದಾಗಿ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಬಂದಿದೆ. ಆದರೂ ಸದ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊಸ ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೆ ನೋಡಬೇಕಷ್ಟೇ ಎಂದು ತಿಳಿಸಿದರು.

Udayavani (http://www.udayavani.com/news/208373L15-%E0%B2%B5-%E0%B2%A6-%E0%B2%AF%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%AF-%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%B2-%E0%B2%9C--%E0%B2%86%E0%B2%B8-%E0%B2%AA%E0%B2%A4-%E0%B2%B0-%E0%B2%97%E0%B2%B3%E0%B2%B2-%E0%B2%B2--%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%AF-%E0%B2%A8-%E0%B2%B8%E0%B2%B0---%E0%B2%98%E0%B2%9F%E0%B2%95.html)

Bangalore, Nov 13, 2012, DHNS :

Proposes reservation for women, STs and OBCs in co-op institutions

The State government will encourage co-operative societies foraying into healthcare and water supply by providing them the necessary support.

Addressing a press meet here on Tuesday, Co-operation Minister B J Puttaswamy said the government was willing to promote co-operative societies in new sectors. A recent initiative in Gadag, where three organisations joined hands to provide potable water to residents by setting up mini water treatment plants is a case in point, he said.

K H Patil Foundation, Hulkoti Co-operative Education Society and Rural Medical Society, in a joint initiative, have adopted reverse osmosis purification units to provide clean potable water to residents of Gadag.

Puttaswamy said he had recently laid the foundation for the Gurupadappa Nagamarapalli Co-operative Superspeciality Hospital in Lalbagh village of Bidar taluk.

In a bid to provide greater autonomy to co-operative sector, the government was planning to introduce several amendments to the Karnataka State Co-operative Societies Act, 1959. The law will be amended to restrict the maximum number of directors of a co-operative society to 21.

Timely elections and audit of co-operative institutions will be made mandatory, the minister said. Puttaswamy said a proposal to provide reservation for women, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes at all levels of the co-operative sector was under consideration.

While Scheduled Castes have been provided reservation at all levels, the benefit is confined to primary societies for other groups.

“It will be the first time in the country that reservation will be provided from the primary to the apex co-operative institutions. We propose to move the amendment bill in the next Assembly session,” Puttaswamy said.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/291809/state-promote-co-operatives-healthcare.html)

Mangalore: MIO to Inaugurate Specialty Hospital of Oncology at Pumpwell (http://www.mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=358594)

Mangalore: The incidence of cancer worldwide is about 6.5 million new cases per year and is projected to be 12.3 million per year by 2030, said Dr Suresh Rao, Head of Cancer Division, in a press meet held at Hotel Ocean Pearl here on November 14.

Publicity and information officer Durgadas Adapa welcomed the gathering. Addressing the mediapersons, Dr Rao said that the Indian population is likely to surpass china by 2030 and the developing world will account, for 50% of new cases and 60% of cancer deaths in the world. Caner is a leading cause of death with about eight lakh deaths in 2008 worldwide.

http://mangalorean.com/images/newstemp33/10-20121114M31-009.JPG

Mangalore Institute of Oncology (MIO), a specialty hospital only for cancer treatment is a dream project of Mangalore Oncology group, which was formed by seven eminent Oncologists of Mangalore and set up with a total cost of Rs 25 crore.

The purpose of this hospital is to provide the best technology available in the world today to the people of this region. MIO is fortunate to have a combination of RAPID ARC Treatment (Most advanced Linear Accelerator and a team of experts with long years of experience in using the technology.

Cancer treatment is of long duration, a world class facility at Mangalore will be very convenient for patients to take treatment by commuting from their house. The treatment cost is kept considering the people from the lower economic strata of society, the hospital will mainly be beneficial to people who cannot afford to travel and pay high cost treatment in larger cities where this technology is available.

Caner education and awareness cell of MIO is actively involved along with government and private groups in educating the people of this region. Cancer Research is a major priority area and work on dietary pattern relating to cancer is being conducted along with many other projects.

Mangalore Institute of Oncology, the exclusive cancer treatment centre with all facilities under one roof will be inaugurated by cancer Vicotrs and Yuvaraj Singh Foundation on November 18, at 10 a.m at Pumpwell.

Inauguration of this new facility by persons who have won the fight against cancer, will provide hope and courage to thousands of people who are silently suffering and may not be receiving any treatment out of fear.

Directors of Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Dr Krishna Prasad, Dr Sanath Hegde and Dr Naveen were also present.

Seven new medical colleges in Karnataka may start working next year


The seven new government medical colleges that were given a go-ahead recently may begin working in the next academic year. The Karnataka State government, which has accorded permission to the medical colleges at Chamarajanagar, Tumkur, Haveri, Chitradurga, Koppal, Gadag and Madikeri, is working to ensure that the colleges start functioning in 2013-14.

Announcing this at a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, Medical Education Minister S.A. Ramdas said that these colleges would start functioning in 2013-14. He said that each one of the colleges will have an intake of 100 undergraduates.

Deputy Commissioners of the seven districts have been instructed to pursue the matter on priority, as representatives of the Medical Council of India (MCI) were likely to visit these colleges in January 2013, he said.

The Minister said that the Cabinet had cleared a proposal to upgrade the Medical College Teaching Hospital in Bidar with a financial allocation of Rs. 87.50 crore and a Government Order had been issued. “Now, the bed strength in the hospital will increase to 750 from 350,” he said.

He said that the Cabinet had also cleared a proposal to extend financial assistance to make OPEC Hospital in Raichur functional. A financial allocation of Rs. 20.02 crore for creation of 648 teaching and non-teaching staff posts and purchasing equipment and Rs. 19.29 crore for meeting the recurring expenditure of the hospital had been made. “A Government Order has been issued and the hospital will be opened on December 1, 2012,” he said.

The government has planned to establish tertiary cancer care centre in the nine medical colleges with an aim to providing facilities for early detection and treatment for cancer, as pressure was mounting on the Kidwai Institute of Oncology. “It is an attempt to help patients who were forced to visit Bangalore for treatment from distant parts of the State,” he said.

The Union government would support the project by extending a financial assistance of Rs. 50 crore and the State government would provide Rs. 60 crore. “A detailed proposal has been submitted to the Union government,” he added.

Noting that Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had lauded the introduction of the Rural Health Bill making doctors compulsorily serve in rural areas after their studies, Mr. Ramdas said that of the 6,000 medical graduates every year, 2,400 might opt for higher studies and the remaining doctors have to render rural service.

The services of 1,500 students from outside the State who graduate here would be added to the Central pool to be used in their States. “Similarly, even post-graduates have, after completing their course, to do one year service in taluk and district hospitals,” he said.

The State government had submitted a proposal to increase the intake under the Union government programme of up-gradating medical colleges. The Union government had in principle agreed to the proposal and with this, the number of medial seats would go up to 1,900 from 1,250.

In view of the intake in the seven new medical colleges, the number of MBBS seats would go up to 2,600. Similarly, the number of post-graduate seats available in the 10 medical colleges would increase to 700 from 616, he said.

The Minister that malnutrition wards had been established in all the 10 medical colleges for treatment of severely malnourished children.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/seven-new-medical-colleges-in-karnataka-may-start-working-next-year/article4074760.ece)

^^

So a medical college in Chamrajnagar..
Now I guess we have medical college in every district.. Has anyone left out

^^

So now we have medical colleges in every district of Karnataka, Have we left any..?

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3475/mediud.jpg
Udayavani

Proposed hospital expected to be a boon for poor patients

The hospital building, coming up at Srirampura extension, is in the first phase
The proposed 100-bed cooperative hospital coming up at Srirampura here is expected to be a boon for poor patients. More than 500 persons belonging to Scheduled Castes, who are part of the Dhanwantari Cooperative Society, have come together to start the hospital in the cooperative sector, said to be the first of its kind in the State.

Four phases

The hospital building, coming up at the Srirampura extension, is in the first phase. “We have plans to complete construction of the hospital in four phases,” Ranganathaiah, one of the directors of the society promoting the hospital, told The Hindu . Dr. Ranganathaiah, who retired as chief physician, K.R. Hospital, runs a private clinic on Panchamantra Road in Kuvempunagar here.

Significantly, the hospital aims at providing free healthcare to the poorest of the poor. Only a nominal charge will be levied on those who can afford to pay, Dr. Ranganathaiah said.

“This is necessary to take care of the maintenance and operational costs,” he said. Also, some MPs and MLAs had contributed for the construction of the hospital, he said. The hospital is expected to come up at a cost of Rs. 1 crore.

Of this, Rs. 35 lakh had already been spent, he said.

In the first phase, the hospital will have 30 beds, 50 in the second phase, and 100 in the third and fourth phases, covering four floors.

The 190/65 ft site was allotted to the society by the Mysore Urban Development Authority.

Facilities

A sophisticated laboratory, wards, radiology section, pharmacy, reception area on the ground floor, and operation theatre, and ICU facilities on the first floor would be covered in the first phase. “If we can mobilise funds soon, we should be able to complete the first phase and make it operational within a year,” Dr. Ranganathaiah stated.

Mobilising funds is a tough ask though we are pursuing a noble cause, he says. The board of directors hoped to garner more funds from MPs, MLAs and MLCs and government agencies, he said.

Efforts were being made to secure funds from several quarters at the Union government-level too, he added.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/proposed-hospital-expected-to-be-a-boon-for-poor-patients/article4107840.ece)

World Bank to extend $70 mn to Karnataka health project

Since 2006, the project has contributed to development of the state's health system
Raghuvir Badrinath / Bangalore Nov 21, 2012, 16:51 IST
The government of India, the government of Karnataka and the World Bank today signed a $70 million additional credit agreement for the ongoing Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project to further support improvements in health service delivery, particularly for the benefit of underserved areas and vulnerable groups.

This project builds on the successful experience of the original $141.83 million project. Since 2006, the project has contributed to development of the state’s health system, including improving administrative capacity and planning, investing in maternal health services, contracting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to run mobile health clinics, supporting community-level public health interventions, and contributing to a state government scheme that purchases hospital services for poor beneficiaries from accredited public and private hospitals.

The project has contributed to progress in a number of health indicators – the proportion of births delivered in a health facility has risen from 65 percent in 2005-06 to 86 percent in 2009; the proportion of children fully immunized has increased from 55 percent in 2005-06 to 78 percent in 2009; and 96 mobile health clinics are operational. According to a 2011 health facility survey, 83 percent of public health centers (PHCs) had a doctor present at the time of the survey, compared to only 35 percent in 2004; in 2011, 89 percent of PHCs had a functional labor room, compared to 67 percent in 2004. Today, over 1,000 PHCs across the state function 24 hours a day.

To date, a total of 19,000 poor patients have benefited from tertiary-level hospital services they would otherwise have had great difficulty in accessing.

“Over the past two decades Karnataka has made progress in the health sector. At the same time, socio-economic disparities in the utilization of basic health services still exist. This project, we hope, will continue to contribute to the government's efforts at improving health services for mothers and children, particularly among poor and vulnerable populations,” said Michael Haney, World Bank Operations Advisor for India. “The World Bank looks forward to a continued and productive partnership with the government of Karnataka in the health sector, providing experience and models that can benefit other states in India as well as internationally,” he added.

Consequently, the project will continue support to improvements in primary and maternal health services, notably upgrading facilities to provide 24-hour services and extending mobile health services to underserved communities. The project will continue to support scale-up of the state government’s program to purchase hospital services for poor patients, with a focus on further strengthening capacity for monitoring and verification.

A number of new strategies to address emerging health problems will be piloted with support of the project, including a program for non-communicable disease prevention and control, focusing on hypertension, diabetes, and cancer -- diseases that are imposing a growing burden on the poor in India. The pilot program will include, in particular, interventions to address cervical cancer, a highly-treatable disease that is nevertheless causing the death of thousands of women in the state. In close collaboration with another World Bank-financed Project – the Second Karnata ka State Highways Improvement Project – the additional financing will support a comprehensive road safety strategy, focusing on improving ambulance and emergency health care services for road traffic injury victims.

“Since its start in 2006, this project has supported reforms and innovations in the health sector in Karnataka. Going forward, as government spending in the health sector continues to increase, the project will largely focus on activities that can benefit from technical engagement with the World Bank; pilot programs, which if successful, can be scaled up using government funds; and evaluations to inform such decisions," said Patrick Mullen, Senior Health Specialist, World Bank and the Project’s Task Team Leader.

The Project will be financed by a credit from the International Development Association (IDA) – the World Bank’s concessionary lending arm – which provides interest-free loans with 25 years to maturity and a grace period of five years.


BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/world-bank-to-extend-70-mn-to-karnataka-health-project-/196740/on)

Bangalore, Nov 20, 2012, DHNS:

Medical treatment is now available at the doorstep for the 58,000 residents of Yemalur and Doddakanahalli in Sarjapur.

The initiative is the first of its kind in the City. Named ‘Smile on Wheels,’ a well-equipped mobile hospital was launched for public service in the two villages on Tuesday.

Launched by the Smile Foundation, in association with the Karuna Trust and sponsored by the Life Insurance Corporation of India as part of its corporate social responsibility, ‘Smile on Wheels’ is a national-level mobile hospital programme with 22 mobile units operating in 13 states of the country.

The programme has benefited more than 5.20 lakh people so far. The mobile hospital unit, which has specialised doctors and nurses, tours selected villages and slums regularly.

The hospital has a X-ray machine, a laboratory, basic testing equipment and a pharmacy.

The mobile unit will also refer patients to nearby government hospitals.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/293330/healthcare-doorstep-underprivileged.html)

BANGALORE: Road traffic accident kills at least a thousand people and injured double the number of people in Bangalore every year. With so many casualties to deal with, the city has got one more 24X7 ambulance and emergency department.

Commissioner of Police, Jyoti Prakash Mirji, inaugurated the state-of-the-art ambulance and emergency department at Manipal Hospital on Wednesday.

The Emergency Department is one of its kinds and is divided into two departments, adult emergency and pediatric emergency.The department provides immediate pain relief, stabilizes the patients and the medical attention crucially required, staffed by qualified physicians and nurses. The hospital will have well equipped arrangements which can deal about 200 patients every day. The Manipal Ambulance service is also available, which can be easily accessed by dialing 080-2521 1200. In case of an emergency call, a fully equipped ambulance is sent along with a trained nurse.

Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, Medical Director, Manipal Hospitals said , "It is a well-accepted fact that a patient who receives basic care from the trained professionals and is transported to the healthcare facility in time has the greatest chance of survival. Emergency service is an essential part of the overall healthcare system, as it saves lives by providing the required care immediately."

Mirji said , "Quick response emergency care is an absolute necessity and I am sure that Manipal Hospitals will draw on their years of experience to offer the highest standards of care to the citizens of Bangalore"

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bangalores-hospital-gets-state-of-art-accident-and-emergency-department/articleshow/17334579.cms

BANGALORE: Soon there will be a help desk in every hospital run under the health and family welfare department of Karnataka to curb alleged corruption practices. Two hospitals under the department in Bangalore - KC General Hospital and Jayanagar General Hospital - already have this facility, other hospitals like Indiranagar General Hospital and Gosha General Hospital are likely to have it in next few months.
"Help desks set up in these hospitals with the help of NGOs, will help to keep check on alleged corruption practices," said M Madan Gopal, principal secretary, health and family welfare department. "The government is also planning to connect these desks with the centralized helpline number 104 (which is to be launched in due course of time) so that people can voice their grievances to the authorities," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Hospitals-to-have-help-desks-to-check-corruption/articleshow/17355567.cms

MANGALORE: With the distribution of 33,000 more health cards, the number of students benefiting from Suvarna Arogya Chaitanya Scheme in Dakshina Kannada district reached 2.6 lakh.

The scheme was launched with the objective of helping students who suffer from diseases. Students from class I to class X may use the card to get treatments including heart surgery free of cost. The process of distribution of cards has been completed in the district.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan assistant project coordinator K Peethambara told TOI that the scheme has been implemented very effectively in the district.

"In addition to 932 government schools, the scheme has been extended to all aided and unaided schools. All diseases that requires hospitalization will be treated free of cost under the scheme. There is no maximum amount ceiling and the health department will provide all necessary treatment to students under the scheme," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/2-6-lakh-students-given-health-cards-in-district/articleshow/16912407.cms?

MANGALORE: KMC Hospital, Mangalore now has the first qualified neurovascular and peripheral vascular interventional radiologist in Dr Keerthiraj B Dr Keerthiraj has vast experience in treating neurovascular and peripheral vascular diseases with just a pinhole access without the need for surgery. His core areas of work include: neurovascular diseases: brain aneurysm coiling, arteriovenous malformation blockage among others.
Dr Keerthiraj also specialises in peripheral vascular diseases that includes blocking of bleeding vessels in blood coughing/vomiting, chemoembolization for inoperable liver cancer, TIPS for cirrhosis with portal hypertension and recurrent variceal bleeds and fluid in abdomen, varicose veins laser, selective uterine fibroid embolization (menorrhagia and infertility), angioplasty as well as stenting of blocked leg blood vessels.
Dr Anand Venugopal, deputy medical superintendent stated that KMC Hospital is keen on bringing new skills and advancements to the reach of the public. Specialties that were once available only in metro cities are now available in this coastal city.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/KMC-Hospital-adds-yet-another-super-specialist-on-its-rolls/articleshow/17534523.cms

x-post.
Karnataka Public Works Department, Invites tender for the work of


Construction of 100 Bedded Hospital in Taranth Ayurvedic College at Bellary (first floor) under 8443 Deposit Contribution Work.


Work includes

> Construction of 100 Bedded Hospital in Taranth Ayurvedic College at Bellary(first floor) under 8443 Deposit Contribution Work.

> Providing for Water Supply and Sanitary Arrangements to Construction of 100 Bedded Hospital in Taranth Ayurvedic College at Bellary(first floor) under 8443 Deposit Contribution Work.

> Providing Electrification to Construction of 100 Bedded Hospital in Taranth Ayurvedic College at Bellary(first floor) under 8443 Deposit Contribution Work.

Contact Information
Contact Person Name : Executive Engineer
Office Telephone Number : 91-8392-266123
Mobile Number :
Tender Amount Details
Estimated Contract Value 23059239.92
Amount of Earnest Money Deposit (INR) 346000
EMD e-payment 100000
EMD Bank Guarantee 246000
Validity of BG in days from last day of bid submission 135
Tender Processing Fee 5000
Tender Schedule / Dates
NIT Published Date 21/12/2012 16:05:25
Last Date & Time for Tender Queries/Clarifications 31/12/2012 12:00:00
Last Date & Time for receipt of tenders 05/01/2013 16:00:00
Date & Time for Opening of Technical Bid 07/01/2013 16:30:00

ಕಾರವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಬೇಕು ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು (http://www.udayavani.com/news/230019L15-%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%B5-%E0%B2%B0%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%95--%E0%B2%AC-%E0%B2%95--%E0%B2%AE-%E0%B2%A1-%E0%B2%95%E0%B2%B2---%E0%B2%95-%E0%B2%B2-%E0%B2%9C-.html)

Udayavani | Jan 01, 2013

ಗಾಂಧಿ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ ಎದುರು ಧರಣಿ

ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ವಿಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಜನಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳ ದ್ವಂದ್ವ ಹೇಳಿಕೆ

ಜನರಲ್ಲಿ ಗೊಂದಲ

ಕಾರವಾರ: ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕೆಂದು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಹೋರಾಟ ಸಮಿತಿ ಪದಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಸೋಮವಾರ ನಗರಸಭೆ ಉದ್ಯಾನವನದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಗಾಂಧಿ ಪ್ರತಿಮೆ ಎದುರು ಸಾಂಕೇತಿಕ ಧರಣಿ ನಡೆಸಿದರು.

ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಹೋರಾಟ ಸಮಿತಿ ಸಂಚಾಲಕ ನಾಗರಾಜ ನಾಯಕ, ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಅಗತ್ಯತೆ ತೀರಾ ಇದೆ. ತಾಲೂಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದೆಡೆ ಕೈಗಾ ಅಣುವಿದ್ಯುತ್* ಯೋಜನೆ, ಕಾಳಿ ಜಲವಿದ್ಯುತ್* ಯೋಜನೆ, ಸೀಬರ್ಡ್* ನೌಕಾ ಯೋಜನೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಕರಾವಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾದು ಹೋಗಿರುವ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಹೆದ್ದಾರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಅಪಘಾತಗಳು ಸಂಭವಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇರುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರನ್ನು ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಗಾಗಿ ಗೋವಾ, ಮಂಗಳೂರು ಇಲ್ಲವೇ ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಗೆ ಕೊಂಡೊಯ್ಯಬೇಕು. ಎಲ್ಲ ರೀತಿಯ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆಯ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯು ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಲ್ಲವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಲಿಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಈಗ ಇರುವ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಸ್ಥಳಾವಕಾಶವಿದೆ. ದಿನಂಪ್ರತಿ ನೂರಾರು ರೋಗಿಗಳು ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಮತ್ತು ತಪಾಸಣೆಗೆ ಬರುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಹಾಗಾಗಿ ಇಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯಾಗಬೇಕು. ಸರಕಾರ ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಗೆ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಮಾಡಲು ಕೂಡಲೇ ಕ್ರಮಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ನಾಯಕ ಬಲವಾಗಿ ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದರು.

ಜನಶಕ್ತಿ ವೇದಿಕೆ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಮಾಧವ ನಾಯಕ ಮಾತನಾಡಿ, ಸರಕಾರಿ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಕುರಿತಂತೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಹೋರಾಟ ಸಮಿತಿಯಿಂದ ಹಲವು ಬಾರಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಡಳಿತ, ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು, ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸಚಿವರಿಗೆ ಮನವಿ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿದೆ. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳನ್ನು ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಿ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆ ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಕುರಿತಾಗಿ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿ ಮನವಿ ಸಲ್ಲಿಸಲಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅವರು ಕ್ಯಾಬಿನೆಟ್* ಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸುವುದಾಗಿ ಭರವಸೆ ನೀಡಿದ್ದರು. ಆದರೆ ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಗಮನಹರಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಈ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಕಾರವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಬಂದಾಗ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಕುರಿತು ಸ್ಪಷ್ಟ ನಿಲುವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿಲ್ಲ. ಸಚಿವ ಆನಂದ ಅಸ್ನೋಟಿಕರ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ವಿಚಾರವಾಗಿ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳ ಮನೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಧರಣಿ ನಡೆಸುವುದಾಗಿ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದರು. ಕಾರವಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಬಂದಾಗ ಖಾಸಗಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಒಟ್ಟಾರೆಯಾಗಿ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆ ವಿಚಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ದ್ವಂದ್ವ ರೀತಿಯ ಹೇಳಿಕೆಗಳು ವ್ಯಕ್ತವಾಗುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಏನೇ ಆದರೂ ನಮಗೆ ಕಾರವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಸ್ಥಾಪನೆಯಾಗಲೇಬೇಕು. ಈ ನಿಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಹೋರಾಟ ಮುಂದುವರಿಯಲಿದೆ ಎಂದು ನಾಯಕ ಹೇಳಿದರು.

ಧರಣಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಕಾರಿ ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್* ಕಾಲೇಜು ಹೋರಾಟ ಸಮಿತಿ ಸದಸ್ಯರು, ವಿವಿಧ ಸಂಘಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳ ಪದಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಹಾಜರಿದ್ದರು.

By Jaideep Shenoy (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toireporter/author-Jaideep-Shenoy.cms), TNN | Jan 6, 2013, 04.18 PM IST

MANGALORE: Karnataka's avowed objective to make the state a model mental health county in India is likely to receive budgetary support.

The objective includes setting up of residential schools for profoundly mentally challenged children and psycho-social rehabilitation centres in all district headquarters, alcohol and de-addiction centres and rehabilitation centres for people suffering from cerebral palsy in headquarters of four revenue zones in Karnataka.

Entrusted with realizing this objective is the recently formed Karnataka State Mental Health Task Force (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Karnataka-State-Mental-Health-Task-Force) headed by eminent psychiatrist Dr KA Ashok Pai from Shimoga (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Shimoga).

"It is the aim of this task force to bring mental health to the doorsteps of residents in Karnataka," Dr Pai told reporters on Saturday.

The first step in this direction will be to set up district units of the task force in all 30 districts of the state and take forward the aims and objectives from there.

Acknowledging that the task force is faced with a daunting task, Dr Pai said as per universal guidelines for mental health services, there is need for one mental health professional for one lakh population.

At present, there are around 250 psychiatrists, 200 clinical psychologists and same name of psychiatric social workers in the state.

Most of the psychiatric social workers have given up their trained discipline and accepted other career options, he noted.

The state government has accepted proposal given by the task force to set up the residential schools for profoundly mentally challenged students at a total expenditure of Rs 8.5 crore, psycho-social rehabilitation centres at a cost of Rs 9 crore, alcohol and drug de-addiction centres, and rehabilitation centres for those suffering from cerebral palsy respectively at an expenditure of Rs 4 crore each.

The government has agreed to allot land for the centres.

Observing that the task force is the first of its kind initiative anywhere in India, Dr Pai said it is working towards providing comprehensive mental health service with a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychiatric social workers and psychiatric nurse in all district hospitals.

There are only about 250-300 in-patient beds collectively in all hospitals excluding NIMHANS (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/NIMHANS) and Dharwad mental hospital (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Dharwad-mental-hospital) and these are challenges to surmount, he said.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Karnataka-moves-towards-becoming-a-model-in-mental-health-services/articleshow/17912466.cms)

Sahyadri Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospital opened at Shimoga

Shimoga, Jan 3 (PTI) Pontiff of Suttur mutt Shivarathri Deshikendra unveiled a super specialty 500-bed hospital at Harakere on the city outskirts today. The super speciality hospital will be managed by Dr Devi Shetty, Chairman Narayana Hrudayalaya Group of hospitals. Speaking on the occasion, Shetty said the hospital would provide state-of-art health facilities to them. PTI CORR BH VS

http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/wire-news/sahyadri-narayana-hrudayalaya-hospital-opened-at-shimoga_803154.html

By Express News Service - BANGALORE

21st January 2013 09:45 AM

Health Minister Aravind Limbavali said healthcare system in the state was poor and asked people not to approach government hospitals for tests.

Speaking at ‘Whitefield Health Assembly’ organised by NationWide Primary Healthcare Services, a chain of private primary health centres, Limbavali said, “Healthcare delivery system in the state is hopeless. That is the reason why we are relying on support from the private sector.”

“Leave alone quality doctors, my department has lost the capability to even arrange for doctors where they are required. There is no cooperation from qualified people, as they only want to fly abroad or begin private practice,” he said.

Referring to his meeting with Anna Soubry, UK’s Parliamentary Secretary of State for Public Health on January 16, Limbavali said he had requested her to send back all the doctors belonging to Karnataka from their country. “The state is in dire need of qualified medical practitioners,” he said.

‘Over 1k specialists needed’

The Health Department is now short of 1,112 specialists and 40 per cent of the posts of MBBS doctors are vacant.

“In the recent past,I have even revoked suspension orders on doctors because there are no doctors to run the hospitals. I am left with no other choice,” he said.

Help from private players sought

Limbavali confessed that the department could not improve its services without the support from private players.

Under the National Urban Health Mission, Limbavali said each ward in the city would have a 100-bed Community Health Centres (CHCs).

“To establish these centres, we will need assistance from private hospitals. The private sector has to help the department, else we cannot achieve quality health care for our people,” he said.

Santanu Chattopadhyaya, Founder and CEO, NationWide Group, said that they were in talks with the department to enhance the scope of community health care on private public partnership basis.

“The idea behind the initiative is to join hands with the government to improve healthcare delivery in local communities. This assembly is a step in understanding the needs of the community and exploring viable partnerships to assure quality healthcare for all,” he said. Such facilities would be extended to other parts after they are tested in Whitefield, he said.

TNIE (http://newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/article1429087.ece)

Stem cell therapy gives paralysed gymnast new lease of life (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/306844/stem-cell-therapy-gives-paralysed.html)

Bangalore, Jan 21, 2013 DHNS:

Ananth, a 24-year-old gymnast who was paralysed during one of his practice sessions, was given a fresh lease of life with the help of stem cell therapy at the Health Care Global (HCG) Foundation that funded his treatment.

An award-winning State and national-level gymnast, Ananth was practising on the fateful day in September, 2010, when he injured his spinal cord and was declared paralysed neck down, and bed-ridden.

Despite trying standard treatment, including physiotherapy, he was not responding to treatment. Ananth, who was not in a position to afford advanced treatment, approached the HCG Foundation where he underwent stem cell transplant.

HCG Ortho Oncologist consultant Dr Pramod Chinder said Ananth’s case was studied in detail where the stem cells of patients were cultured and two injections of stem cell were given to him.

Post-treatment, he has progressed significantly, with movement of hands and a return of sensation in his legs.

HCG Group chairman Dr B S Ajaikumar said being a gymnast and leading an active life, Ananth’s case is an example of how regeneration can happen through stem cell treatment.


2 held in kidney sale racket (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/306871/2-held-kidney-sale-racket.html)

7 new govt medical colleges in State (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/307537/7-govt-medical-colleges-state.html)

Mysore:Jan 25, 2013 DH News Service

Seven new government medical colleges will be sanctioned in the budget to be presented by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar shortly, said Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas here on Thursday.

He said the colleges will come up in Chamarajanagar, Madikeri, Chitradurga, Koppal, Haveri, Gadag and Tumkur.

The medical colleges will have 100 seats each. If the medical college comes up in Koppal, it will be the first institution of higher education there, he said.

Permission has also been given to increase the number of seats in BGS medical college by 100, he said.

With the approval for new medical colleges, the number of medical seats available in the State will increase to 7,305 seats. Currently, there are 6,005 medical seats in the State.

NABH accreditation not a priority for hospitals (http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/karnataka/nabh-accreditation-not-a-priority-for-hospitals/article4341130.ece)

Only 18 hospitals in the State have the board’s recognition

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01341/25bgHospital_eps_1341129e.jpg

Although Karnataka is renowned the world over as a medical tourism hub, only 18 hospitals in the State are recognised by the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH).

NABH accreditation is a public recognition of the achievement of accreditation standards by a healthcare organisation. It is awarded following an independent external peer assessment of that organisation’s level of performance in patient safety and related standards.

Although 15 of the 18 hospitals are from the city, it is unfortunate that there is not much awareness about NABH accreditation here, said K.K. Kalra, Chief Executive Officer, NABH.

Speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of the Karnataka Health Summit, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in the city, Mr. Kalra said: “Although some hospitals from Bangalore were the first ones to get accredited after the NABH was formed in 2005, awareness about accreditation here is still low. There are hundreds of hospitals in Bangalore and each one of them should have the responsibility for quality patient care. We want more hospitals to come forward and get accredited,” Mr. Kalra said.

In fact, only 173 hospitals across the country (including 18 small healthcare organisations) have got NABH recognition, and 521 are in the process of getting accreditation. This is only a fraction of the total number of hospitals in the country, he said.

Giving details, he said 49 blood banks, two dental hospitals and six Ayush hospitals have got the NABH accreditation so far in the country.

Explaining the importance of accreditation, Mr. Kalra said it is a model of external evaluation used by healthcare entities across the world to regulate, improve and promote quality healthcare services. “Quality health systems lead to patient safety and public satisfaction,” he said, adding that the NABH had a local assessor in Bangalore to coordinate with hospitals.

The summit included sessions on ‘Healthcare investment opportunities in Karnataka’ by M. Maheshwar Rao, Commissioner of Industrial Development, and ‘Primary Healthcare’ by Santanu Chattopadhyay of the Nationwide Primary Healthcare Services. Presentations on infrastructure availability of healthcare manpower and current healthcare ecosystem in India were also part of the summit.


Doctors save life of women suffering from complex disease (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Doctors-save-life-of-women-suffering-from-complex-disease-/articleshow/18165721.cms)

jss hospital u/c

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6210/dsc01724n.jpg

x post

State awaits Centre's nod to implement NUHM (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/state-awaits-centres-nod-to-implement-nuhm/article4355926.ece)

Setting into motion the process of implementing the proposed National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), the Department of Health and Family Welfare has sent a Rs. 250-crore financial outlay for the project to the Union Ministry of Health on Monday.

“We have sent the financial outlay as part of Karnataka’s project implementation plan (PIP) of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). The approval will allow us to start the project at the earliest,” M. Madan Gopal, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) told The Hindu on Monday.

Mr. Madan Gopal said: “We have learnt it will be placed in the next Union Cabinet and hope it will be cleared soon.”

To Bhubaneswar

A team of officials, led by the Principal Secretary, will leave for Bhubaneswar (the other city apart from Bangalore that has been identified for the NUHM pilot project) on Tuesday to study their model of healthcare.

“Although we are confident of being ahead of Bhubaneswar, we are ready to emulate some notable aspects,” he said. Official consultants from the Union Health Ministry will join the Karnataka team in Bhubaneswar. The idea is to roll out the project by April 2013,” he said.

Urban health centres

Under the proposed NUHM, urban health centres (UHCs) will be set up in all 198 wards of the city to provide comprehensive primary healthcare and free diagnostic facilities.

Facilities

Each UHC will have a laboratory, doctor, pharmacist and a counsellor for treating patients at the ward-level. Currently, there are 92 PHCs in the city. Services at the UHCs will be free and NUHM will be gradually extended to other city corporations in the State in the next one or two years, he said.

The mission will also facilitate the setting up of 30 to 100-bed hospitals in all the 28 Legislative Assembly constituencies in the city and major hospitals (100 beds) in all eight zones.

Public consultation

Organisations working in the field of health are demanding public consultations before the plan is finalised.

With health services in the city being run by multiple government departments such as the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Health and Family Welfare Department, Medical Education Department and Employees State Insurance (ESI), there is lack of coordination among them. This is the main reason for inaccessibility of quality and affordable healthcare to the city’s urban poor, said Sudha N. from Janarogya Andolana, Karnataka (JAAK).

“We also want to launch a campaign for the Right to Health. We will soon submit memoranda to our elected representatives and other like-minded people to come together to develop a joint action plan,” another volunteer from JAAK said.

Cancer nodal centres at district hospitals soon
(http://www.deccanherald.com/content/310656/cancer-nodal-centres-district-hospitals.html)

In what could be a major move that would enable identify and maintain a registry of cancer patients for treatment, the Karnataka Health Commission (KHC) will enter into a public-private-partnership (PPP) with the Health Care Global Hospital, to set up nodal cancer care centres at the district hospitals in the next two months.

Addressing reporters here on Thursday, N Prabhu Dev, KHC Chairperson, said “The commission has been recommending the Union Health Ministry to make cancer a notifiable disease, which will ensure every case is reported and treated. Maintaining a standard cancer registry and appropriate documents will give the actual magnitude, quality and steps to improve infrastructure for cancer treatment.”

According to the proposed PPP project, a government doctor will be trained by Health Care Global in diagnosing and collecting samples.

A nodal centre will be set up at the district hospitals where the designated doctor will screen patients for cancer and maintain a cancer registry. Specialists from the Health Care Global will visit these centres on a monthly basis.

Infrastructure will be provided by the Karnataka Health Commission. Both the parties will also work together with pharma companies to ensure generic drugs are available at subsidised prices to patients.

Prabhu Dev said that a blue print of the proposal will be ready by April and it will be placed before the government for approval.

Budget Highlights 2013 - 14 Health


A sum of Rs.4027 Crores has been provided for Health and
Family Welfare Department
Achievements during the last 5 years:

• Rs.147.63 crore spent on 14.19 lakh beneficiaries under
“Prasuthi Araike” Yojane.

• Rs.162.54 crore spent on 13 lakh beneficiaries under
Madilu Yojane.

• Rs.27.43 crore expenditure incurred under Thayi Bhagya
Scheme, benefitting 1.4 lakh beneficiaries in 5 districts
of Hyderabad – Karnataka Region and Chamarajanagar
districts

• Rs.274.41 crores spent under Arogya Kavacha Scheme for
19.84 lakh beneficiaries.

• 28,664 beneficiaries treated at a cost of Rs.173 crore under
Vajapeey Arogyashree Yojane.

• Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory established in Hubli
and Bellary at the cost of Rs.18 crore for first time in the
country.

• Karnataka State Drugs Policy announced.

• 24X7 health facility provided in 1,018 Primary Health
Centres and 192 Community Health Centres by converting
them into first referral units.Budget Highlights 2013 - 14 105

• Ratio of child mortality reduced from 41 to 35 for every
one thousand live births and ratio of maternal mortality
decreased from 213 to 178 for every one lakh live births.

• Increase in institutional deliveries from 65% to 97%.
New Initiatives

• ‘National Urban Health Mission’ will be launched with the
assistance of Government of India.

• Merger of Health Insurance Schemes: Yashaswini Arogya
Yojane, Vajpayee Arogyashree Yojane and National Health
Insurance Scheme into a new health insurance scheme.

• ‘e-Hospital’ system will be introduced in K.C General
Hospital, Jayanagar General Hospital and Sanjay Gandhi
Institute of Trauma & Orthopaedics. ‘e-Office’ system will
be introduced for effective functioning of the Directorate
of Health and Family Welfare Services.

• Setting up of Dialysis units at select taluk hospitals in a
phased manner. Setting up Residential care centres for
mentally ill patients in all the Taluks under the
Community Mental Health Programme.

• Institute of Public Health will be set up at Bangalore to
strengthen Health Services.

• Rs.1.10 crores to start 4 AYUSH mobile medical units in
2013-14.

• Rs. 2 Crore would be provided for construction of hospital
building being constructed by Guru Mahapathiraja Trust,
Hubli of the famous Ophthalmologist Dr. M.M.Joshi which
would provide free services for poor people.

• Rs. 10 crore grant would be provided to Shankar Cancer
Hospital, Bangalore.106 Budget Highlights 2013 - 14

• Rs. 2 crores would be provided for the improvement of the
standard of living and health of Endosulfan affected people
in some parts of coastal areas.

• A special scheme will be formulated to provide health care
and treatment to the senior freedom fighters aged above
75 years.
Medical Education
Rs. 1266 Crores is provided for Medical Education Department.

• Intake for MBBS increased from 3665 to 6005 and post
graduate from 1305 seats to 3161.

• One year rural medical service in government hospitals
made mandatory for the candidates as per Medical Course
Bill 2012.

• Approval given in the current year to start 7 new medical
colleges with total intake of 700 in Koppala, Gadag,
Chamarajanagar, Chitraduring Madikeri, Haveri and
Tumkur.

• Rs.407.63 crore provided for improving infrastructure
facilities in already started medical colleges.

• It is proposed to increase the MBBS intake from 150 to
250 in VIMS Bellary, KIMS Hubli and MMC Mysore. In
the new medical colleges at Hassan, Mandya, Bidar,
Shimoga, Raichur and Belgaum, it is proposed to increase
the intake from 100 to 150.

• Super Specialty Hospital in Bangalore Medical College
started.

• 4094 poor patients got free treatment under Hrudaya
Sanjeevini Yojane.Budget Highlights 2013 - 14 107

• Rs.20 crores provided for improving medical facilities at
KIMS. Upgrading Dharwad Institute of Mental Health to
the level of NIMHANS considered.

Source: http://www.kar.nic.in/finance/bud2013/bh13-14.pdf

Research in homeopath to get boost in Karnataka

BANGALORE: Research done by rural doctors, especially in Homeopath is all set to get a boost. Soukya Foundation, leading Holistic care centre in Bangalore on Saturday came forward to support the research work in rural areas.

The topic was discussed and consulted by national and international Homeopath doctors on the first day of National Seminar on Respiratory Medicine (COPD) and Workshop and Training on Research Methodology.

"If rural doctor does an exceptional work, then Soukya will be helping him/her connect to the facilitators in the area if research so that the work is showcased to the world," said Dr Issac Mathai, chairman and medical director, Soukya.

Dr Peter Fisher, clinical director, Royal London Homeopathic Hospital too pressed on the need of giving boost to research activities in homeopath as much as it is given to modern medicine. "Literature (on homeopath) has never been adequately searched. Systematic reviews have been happening in homeopath which, are indicators of the ongoing research," said Dr Fisher.

He also said that it is important to have validity in research work.

About 300 delegates from all over India and abroad are participating at the third national seminar conducted by Soukya Foundation. The focus of the seminar is on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its effective treatment with Homeopathy. The programme has also been supported by the Central government.

The seminar will also see launch of an online course on Research Methodology. "The aim of the course is to clarify the basic principles of research methodology and biostatistics so as to relate their relevance for AYUSH systems of medicine," said Dr Mathai.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Research-in-homeopath-to-get-boost-in-Karnataka/articleshow/18449165.cms)

MDI Labs opens its first unit in Karnataka

MANGALORE: MDI LABS Germany, one of the world's largest diagnostic testing services, has launched collection centers and processing units in Karnataka State, through its Indian subsidiary, MDI LAB India.

The first centre in Karnataka was launched in Mangalore's Indiana Hospital and Heart Institute, bringing cutting edge German technology and advanced accuracy of diagnostic testing services.

According to studies conducted by MDI LABS, more than 90% of neonates and school girls and more than 80% pregnant women in India were found to be vitamin D deficient.

MDI LABS India will battle this epidemic of modern civilization by offering advanced German technology and highly accurate testing solutions to patients in Karnataka.

Dr Hans Rodger, MDI Berlin (Germany), Dr Yusuf Kumble, cardiologist, Indiana Hospital, Dr R Sathish, VP (operations), Indiana Hospital, MDI LABS India, Devendu Mehta, director, MDI LABS India, K Krishna Kumar, GM, MD LABS India, were present during the launch in Mangalore on Monday.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/MDI-Labs-opens-its-first-unit-in-Karnataka/articleshow/18460875.cms

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8475245629_7222d2f5de_b.jpg

Hubli Super Speciality Hospital--U/C Site

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8374/8475248081_21808a86c4_b.jpg

It is very near to Banni gida stop....

SDM IMS SUPER SPECIALTY BLOCK (U/C):)

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/2808/sdmsp1.jpg

Hubli-Dharwar x post

Govt Sets Up 4 Panels to Regulate Clinical Trials (http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789874)


In a bid to regulate the booming clinical trial industry in India, government has set up four committees that will monitor and ensure accountability during such tests that have seen 2,242 deaths in the past five years in the country.

So far, there were no procedures in place to ensure accountability of this hitherto unregulated sector which is worth USD 500 million in India.

An Apex Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, has been formed to recommend new approvals for clinical trials and assist the technical committee to supervise and monitor the conduct of such trials in the country.

The competent authority in granting new licences and for monitoring clinical trials under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act is the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), who will act on the recommendations of the Apex Committee.

The Apex Committee has Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General ICMR, V M Katoch and Director General of Health Services Jagdish Prasad as its members and Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare A K Panda as its member secretary.

Government has also set up another 15-member technical committee under the chairmanship of DG Health Services Jagdish Prasad, It will comprise of experts that will give its inputs relating to clinical trials to the Apex Committee.

Two separate expert committees will formulate policy guidelines and Standard Operating Practices for approval of new drugs, clinical trials and banning of drugs as recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health.

With the mechanism in place, pharma firms conducting clinical trial of drugs in India will no longer be able to get away with meagre and arbitrary payment of compensation in case of injury or death of subjects participating in such trials.

According to Health Ministry data, there have been 2,242 deaths during clinical trials in the past five years in the country.

The Ministry's moves come in the wake of recent Supreme Court's rap where it directed the Health Secretary to monitor all clinical trials saying the Government was in "deep slumber".

Government has already notified rules for grant of compensation in case of Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) like death and injuries on account of participation in clinical trial of drugs.

The other members of the Technical Committee are former member of MCI Board of Governors Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, Medical Superintendent of JIPMER Puducherry Ashok Kumar Das, Vinod Raina of AIIMS in Delhi, Sanjay Tyagi of GB Pant Hospital in Delhi, Jaspal Sharma of PGIMER in Chandigarh, Nikhil Tandon of AIIMS Delhi and Kamlakar Tripathi of Institute of Medical Sciences BHU Varanasi.

Shashank V Parulekar of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, Debasis Basu of Kolkata Medical College, P K Dalal of CSMU Medical College, Lucknow, Rajutitus Chacko of CMC Vellore, S N Gaur of VP Chest Institute Delhi, P L Sherwal of LHMC and Associated Hospitals Delhi and Nandini Kumar of National Institute of Epidemiology, ICMR Chennai are also members of this Committee.

While the seven-member Expert Committee to formulate policy guidelines and SOPs for approval of new drugs, clinical trials and banning of drugs, will be headed by Ranjit Roy Chaudhury, national professor of Pharmacology and advisor in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi Government.

The Committee will also monitor the functions of various ethics committees of organisations where clinical trials are held and grant accreditation of clinical trial sites. It will also conduct clinical trial inspections and monitor clinical trials.

The other five-member expert committee under the Chairmanship of C K Kokate, vice chancellor of KLE University, Belgaum, will formulate policy guidelines and procedures for approval of fixed-dose combinations, with special emphasis on requirement of clinical trials on Indian population and its type, besides assessing the safety of fixed dose combinations.

Good to see Karnataka's Belgaum KLE there :cheers:

MDI Labs plans 2,000 diagnostic centres in India (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/312596/mdi-labs-plans-2000-diagnostic.html)

Medizinisch Diagnostiche Institute (MDI), one of the world's largest diagnostic testing services, has proposed to invest Rs 150 crore in its Indian subsidiary MDI Laboratories with plans to set up over 2,000 collection centres as part of expanding its network in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, MDI Laboratories India director Devendu Mehta said: “We have drawn up expansion plans with an investment outlay of Rs 150 crore in the next three years, with a substantial chunk to come from German parent MDI LABS Germany.”
Explaining further, Mehta said initially MDI will chip in Rs 50 crore with plans to execute world-class automated machines and web-based software in 25 hospital labs across the country. To begin with, it launched its first centre at Indiana Hospital & Heart Institute at Mangalore in Karnataka recently bringing cutting edge German technology and advanced accuracy of diagnostic testing services. It plans to set up 2,000 collection centres in the next two years and a logistics network to transport samples and expand its network in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Gujarat, according to Mehta.

After the completion of this expansion, its turnover by fiscal 2015 is set to cross Rs 350 crore as against the estimated turnover of Rs 50 crore in fiscal 2013, he said. Further, Mehta pointed out that MDI Laboratories had earlier made its entry by setting up facilities and installed world class automated machines and softwares in hospital labs. With a workload of over a million tests in a year, MDI has recently upgraded one of the leading hospitals in Mumbai.

In the global scenario, the German parent believes that India emerges as one of the best markets in the healthcare industry, which may lead to more multinationals entering India in the particular area of operation, said Dr Hans Rodger, MDI Labs India. In macro terms, the country's pathological laboratory sector is estimated at $ 4.8 billion by 2015, in which the diagnostic and pathological laboratory (path lab) test services market holds 52.1 percent share. According to CII-KPMG Report, the pathological sector is projected to contribute $2.5 billion by 2012-13

New research centre on brain disorders opens in Bangalore (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/312874/research-centre-brain-disorders-opens.html)

New Delhi, Feb 17, 2013 DHNS

Scientists hope to unravel the complex brain circuitry underlying autism at a new Indo-UK research centre in Bangalore that aims to eventually develop better diagnostic techniques and drug targets for a host of brain disorders.

The Centre for Brain Development and Repair has come up inside the campus of Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine to study genetic, neural and behavioural components of autism to find a clinical answer to the disorder that afflicts lakhs of children.

“We are not offering any clinical service. But the research aims to create assay systems for screening drugs for autism as well as other brain disorders,” Sumantra Chattarji, professor of neurobiology at the National Centre for Biological Sciences, who heads the Centre, told Deccan Herald.

To be funded by the department of biotechnology and philanthropic organisations, the Centre plans to raise close to Rs 100 crore in the next five to 10 years to support frontier areas in brain research involving 10 to 15 scientists. But it starts on a modest note with five scientists.

Indian researchers will collaborate with scientists from the University of Edinburgh, who not only bring clinical experience to the table, but also make significant contribution in understanding the behavioural patterns associated with autism.

“Not only will this Centre focus on the common psychiatric and neurological diseases that cause a major burden for patients in both India and the UK, but it will also train the next generation of scientists who will take forward the laboratory discoveries to the clinic,” said Siddarthan Chandran, director of the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences. Besides autism, the Centre will also focus on dementia.

JSS multispeciality Hospital u/c

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Mangalore, Feb 19: A 72-year-old woman suffering from locally advanced rectal cancer was treated wholly through Laparoscopic Surgery by Surgical Gastroenterologist and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon Dr. Vijay Ramachandran at Yenepoya Specialty Hospital, Kodialbail in the city.

The procedure, termed Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection has been performed for the first time in Mangalore. In this procedure, the cancer bearing portion of the rectum and anal canal is mobilised laparoscopically and removed resulting in minimal surgical trauma to the patient.
The advantages of the procedure include quicker return of bowel function, reduced pain, shortened postoperative stay and cosmesis.
Dr Vijay said that the patient resumed oral intake on the first postoperative day and was discharged on the fifth postoperative day. Although the majority of the surgeries performed for rectal cancer by Dr. Vijay aim at sphincter preservation, abdominoperineal resection is necessitated when the tumour is within 3 cms of the anal verge as in this case.
Dr Vijay elaborated that Laparoscopic Surgery has an established role in the management of gastrointestinal cancers and many such tumours can be successfully removed with the help of laparoscopy.

http://coastaldigest.com/index.php/news/50962-unique-laparoscopic-surgery-for-rectal-cancer-performed-at-yenepoya-specialty-hospital

Public Private Partnership needed to reach healthcare for rural and urban poor: Experts (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Public-Private-Partnership-needed-to-reach-healthcare-for-rural-and-urban-poor-Experts/articleshow/18673437.cms)

BANGALORE: Public private partnership (PPP) model is the need of the hour to address the healthcare requirements of rural and urban poor population of the country, said healthcare experts.

Speaking at a discussion on Innovations in Healthcare: Reaching the Unreached, organised by Centre for Social Initiative and management (CISM).

Dr B N Dhanyakumar, director, Health and Family Welfare Department, Karnataka said: "In last about two decades the government of Karnataka has realised that joining hands with private sector will make it possible to provide good medical services in rural areas. Tai Bhagya scheme and Arogyas Bandhu scheme are good examples of successful PPP projects in the state."

Explaining the model of Karuna Trust, which provides one of the best healthcare facilities in rural Karnataka, Dr H Sudarshan, Founder, Karuna Trust said: "PPP is the way to reach rural and urban poor. We need to give more more importance to healthcare services. Government can make some changes in MBBS curriculum and introduce 3 year course specialised for rural areas."

The event was organised as an initiative of CISM's social entrepreneurship club, in an effort to bring the latest ideas in the different social sectors.

Dr Nandini Vallath, HOD, integrative oncology, HCG, Dr Anant Koppar, chairman, KTwo technology solutions and Dr Ashwin Naik, co-founder and CEO of Vaatsalya were also on the panel.

ESI gulbarga




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xpost

‘NUHM planned without consulting community’ (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/nuhm-planned-without-consulting-community/article4464480.ece)

Even as the National Health Mission (that includes rural and urban missions) got a push on Thursday with an increase in allocation by 24.3 per cent than the revised estimates of 2012-13, health activists allege that the draft approach paper for Bangalore under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was being prepared without consulting the community.

Earlier this month, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who was in the city for an official programme, had said that the launch of NUHM depended on the allocation it got in the coming budget. A sum of Rs. 21,239 crore has been set aside for the combined implementation of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and NUHM in the Union budget presented on Thursday.

Lapse

At a discussion on ‘Towards a pro-people National Urban Health Mission in Bangalore’, organised by Jana Arogya Andolana Karnataka (JAAK), members said failure on part of the government in not consulting the community and activists was a “significant lapse.”

“The strategies for planning, implementation and evaluation of NUHM should be made more transparent and accountable. There should be an ongoing engagement at all levels of policy-making, implementation and evaluation with a community that has representation from groups,” said Akhila, a member.

“Rather that committing to free Universal Access to Health Care (UAHC), the focus of NUHM appears to be on targeting the poor through existing Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards and other health vulnerability assessments. Experiences of the marginalised such as the destitute, homeless, migrants, street children and sexual minority groups demonstrate that such targeting have reduced access to essential health services,” said N. Sudha, another member.

Residents from various slums in the city, who attended the discussion, narrated their experiences at government hospitals.

Rs. 21,239 crore has been set aside for implementation of NRHM and NUHM in the Union budget

‘The strategies for planning, implementation and evaluation of NUHM should be made more transparent’

KLE hospital Yellur Road Belgaum


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http://allaboutbelgaum.com/lifestyle/helath/azad-to-lay-foundation-of-kle-charitable-hospital/

Bellary Super speciality Hospital

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nimhans new campus


http://epapervijayavani.in/epaperimages/1632013/1632013-md-hr-6/52543343.JPG

NIMHANS to set up campus in K R Puram



epapervijayavani.in

Bowring boom boom

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MANGALORE: Preventing cancer, particularly oral cancer, is a challenge for medical fraternity across the world. To provide treatment to poor patients at an affordable price, a group of 50 doctors under the leadership of Dr Chitta Ranjan Chowdhury has launched an organization, Indian Academy of Oral Biology and Advancement of Dental Sciences (IAOB-ADS) in the city.

Chitta Ranjan is the head of the department of Oral Biology and Genomic Studies of AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences of Nitte University. To make cancer treatment cost effective, members of this organization will conduct clinical audits such as testing new treatment procedure comparing it with the existing one.

"We will conduct clinical governance like testing of hospitals and patients' management to improve medical services. There is an increase in cancer cases in India and Karnataka does not have proper cancer registry divisions. IAOB-ADS will also have a cancer registry division," Dr Chitta Ranjan told STOI.

The registry division collects all essential data pertaining to cancer patients. "Our cancer registry will help researchers conduct research related to cancer as we will maintain the number of cancer cases reported in the country among men and women age-wise," said Chitta Ranjan.

IAOB-ADS will conduct researches in partnership with various universities.

"We are planning to establish an IAOB-ADS building. The organization will focus on research areas like mouth cancer, oral AIDS and dental complication of diabetes mellitus type-2. It will also create skilled manpower to manage and provide good medical services to patients," he added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangalore/Mangalore-doctors-join-hands-to-take-on-oral-cancer/articleshow/19154610.cms

Mangalore rocks in every sector:cheers:The best tier 2 city to live in Karnataka where you will get all the facilities which Metros has.

http://vbepaper.com/epaperimages/2532013/2532013-md-hr-2/124522687.JPG

Vartha Bharathi (http://vbepaper.com/Details.aspx?id=6779&boxid=124522687&uid=&dat=3/25/2013)

Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research invites tender for the work of


PROVIDING MASTER PLAN, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, MEP, PMC, LANDSCAPE AND ALLIED CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 350 BEDED HOSPITAL COMPLEX FOR SRI JAYADEVA INSTITUTE OF CARDIO VASCULAR SCIENCES AND RESEARCH, MYSORE BRANCH, NEXT TO P. K. T. B. SANITORIUM, K.R.S. ROAD, MYSORE


Contact Information
Contact Person Name : T Venugopal Reddy
Office Telephone Number :
Mobile Number : 91-9448043967
Tender Amount Details
Amount of Earnest Money Deposit (INR) 210000
Tender Processing Fee 550
Tender Schedule / Dates
NIT Published Date 05/04/2013 12:00:18
Last Date & Time for Tender Queries/Clarifications
Last Date & Time for receipt of tenders 06/05/2013 15:00:00
Date & Time for Opening of Technical Bid 09/05/2013 11:00:00

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New Delhi, April 23:
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is in the process of setting up 15 medical colleges, including dental and para-medical, in several States, the Labour Ministry said on Monday.


The ESIC, which has been allocated Rs 10,000 crore for medical education projects, has already identified the locations for these colleges, Union Labour Minister Mallikarjun Kharge informed the Lok Sabha.


The States where these colleges will be set up are Andhra Pradesh (Sanathnagar), Bihar (Bihta), Gujarat (Naroda), Haryana (Faridabad), Himachal Pradesh (Mandi), Karnataka (Gulbarga, Rajajinagar), Kerala (Paripally), Maharashtra (Mulund), Madhya Pradesh (Indore), New Delhi (Basaidarapur), Odisha, Rajasthan (Alwar), Tamil Nadu (K.K Nagar, Coimbatore), Uttarakhand (Haridwar) and West Bengal (Joka, Baltikuri).



http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/education/esic-to-set-up-18-medical-colleges/article4647608.ece

Mangalore, Apr 24: The inauguration of the new Cancer Institute and the ceremony of handing over of NABH certificate were held at the A J Institute campus, here on Wednesday April 24.

Padma Bhushan Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Dharmadhikari of Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala inaugurated the Institute and handed over the NABH certificate.

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http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=171495

500 HEART CARE CENTERS IN NEXT 5 YEARS

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epapervijayavani

City scores low on medical tourism
http://newindianexpress.com/cities/bangalore/City-scores-low-on-medical-tourism/2013/05/19/article1596515.ece

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http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8695683755_ce984ca8d5_b.jpg

Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences & Research Invites tender for the


PROVIDING MASTER PLAN, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, MEP, PMC, LANDSCAPE AND ALLIED CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF 350 BEDED HOSPITAL COMPLEX FOR SRI JAYADEVA INSTITUTE OF CARDIO VASCULAR SCIENCES AND RESEARCH, MYSORE BRANCH, NEXT TO P. K. T. B. SANITORIUM, K.R.S. ROAD, MYSORE


Contact Information
Contact Person Name : T VENUGOPAL REDDY
Office Telephone Number : 91-80-22977666
Mobile Number : 91-9448043967
Tender Amount Details
Amount of Earnest Money Deposit (INR) 210000
Tender Processing Fee 550
Tender Schedule / Dates
NIT Published Date 23/05/2013 15:51:21
Last Date & Time for Tender Queries/Clarifications
Last Date & Time for receipt of tenders 10/06/2013 11:00:00
Date & Time for Opening of Technical Bid 12/06/2013 11:05:00

Bio-metric system to monitor attendance of doctors in Karnataka

BANGALORE: The state government has proposed to introduce bio-metric systems in all government-run hospitals to see that all the staff come on time and don't shirk work.

read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Bio-metric-system-to-monitor-attendance-of-doctors-in-Karnataka/articleshow/20229394.cms

Karnataka to construct Rs 90 cr Aarogya Soudha
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/334160/karnataka-construct-rs-90-cr.html