Media Release
Mangalore, May 28: City branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) hosted ‘IMA-CGP Conference 2012’, the annual state level conference of its college of general practitioners on May 27. The venue of the conclave was Srinivas Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre, Mukka.
The conference which began at 8 am included a series of seven scientific sessions dealing with subjects like diabetes, vaginal discharge, learning disabilities in children and primary care in poly trauma patients. The day concluded with a workshop on yoga and stress management.
About 150 general practitioners from various parts of Karnataka attended the conference which was meant to highlight the role of family doctors in community health.
CA A Raghavendra Rao, president of Srinivas Group of Colleges inaugurated the conference at a formal pre-lunch ceremony which was held at 12.30 pm.
In his key note address, Dr K Mohandas Bhandary, Karnataka state vice president of IMA, observed that government Wenlock Hospital and government Lady Goschen Hospital in the city are 165 year old institutions and cater to poor patients. Hence he urged the government to set up a new government medical college at these hospitals as this will enable the integrated development of modern facilities and regular upgradation at these hospitals for the benefit of poor patients.
He also urged that the government to appoint an independent cabinet minister for health and family welfare as these are important issues. “At present health and family welfare come under the chief minister’s portfolio and there is a separate minister only for medical education. An independent minister for health and family welfare will put greater focus to this very important subject,” he said.
In his inaugural address CA A Raghavendra Rao observed that though medicine is considered to be noble profession, it is the responsibility of the people who practice the profession to make it noble through exemplary dedication and ethical practices. He said though we live in the age of specialization, it’s the general practitioners who meet the healthcare needs of the common man. “In olden days the family doctor was like a member of the family. He would help the family in times of need, give sound advice whenever required, and even fix marriages between patient families. Today that personal touch is missing,” he said.
A Srinivas Rao, vice president of Srinivas Group of Colleges; Dr C V Raghuveer, director and dean of Srinivas Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre; Mumbai based entrepreneur Vijaynath Shetty, IMA divisional co-ordinator Dr Ravindranath Shetty Katpady; IMA Mangalore Branch president Dr Jayaprakash Shetty and the organizing secretary of the conference Dr M Annayya Kulal Ulthur spoke on the occasion.
Dr M Annayya Kulal Ulthur proposed the vote of thanks.
Dr Manjunath Shenoy compered the programme.