Media Release

Mangalore, Jul 11: “Creating a healthy society is our goal. By this, I mean not just physical health, but also having a sound mind, leading to the all round health of society and nation building. Hence health department should cover every sector of society. As keeping away from bad habits is important for good health, our first step has been to ban Gutka in the state,” said U T Khadar, Hon’ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka.

He was addressing members of Mangalore Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) as Chief Guest on the occasion of Doctor’s Day on Saturday, July 6 at Dr A V Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, Mangalore at 8:30 p.m. Though Doctors Day is observed on 1st of July, IMA Mangalore has scheduled its celebrations for 6th July in order to enable more doctors to participate during the weekend function.

Being Doctors’ Day function, U T Khadar heartily felicitated the doctors saying, “Everyone wants to be a doctor, but very few succeed in becoming one. You are all very lucky in fulfilling your dreams and society too holds doctors in high esteem.”

Continuing in a lighter vein, he said, “I hail from a family filled with doctors. Both my brothers are doctors and many of my cousins too. My parents wanted me to be one also, so they admitted me to Science course during PUC. Within one month of struggling through theorems and whatnot, I realized this field is not for me and switched over to Arts with the hope of getting rid of the burden forever. As fate would have it, now God has made me the health minister and once more I have to face the subject,” sending the audience into peals of laughter.

Elaborating on government policy, he said, the government’s goal is to not increase the number of hospitals. This goal will be achieved by emphasizing on prevention. “At the moment we have identified improving oral health as our major thrust area. We also aim to work on eradication of anemia and replicate the success of polio eradication drive.”

Shortage of doctors continues to be a big problem in government sector, he said. “Though we are offering very high salaries on contract basis, like Rs. 40,000/- for MBBS and Rs. 65,000/- for postgraduates, which is more than what many private hospitals offer, the response continues to be poor. Fine imposed for avoiding one year compulsory rural service for doctors is also not ineffective. Hence we are considering raising the fine to Rs. 10 lakhs,” he said.

On the occasion, U T Khadar felicitated three senior doctors, namely Dr Ganesh S Pai, dermatologist and cosmetologist; Dr. M. Vijaykumar Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Dr Gayatri Ramani, Obstetrician and Gynecologist for their professional excellence, service to IMA and service to society.

This was followed by felicitation of U T Khadar by Dr C P Habeeb Rehman, Chairman of Unity Hospital and Dr Sathish Kumar Bhandary, dean of K S Hegde Medical Academy on behalf of IMA Mangalore Branch.

The minister handed over prizes to three children, Rachana, Neha Mallya and  Arush for being adjudged the ‘Best Dressed Kids’.

IMA Mangalore Branch president Dr Manjunath Shenoy welcomed the gathering. IMA Trust president Dr K Bhasker Shetty made the introductory address. Dr Animesh Jain, IMA treasurer paid rich tributes to Dr B C Roy in whose honour Doctor’s Day is observed and also later, proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Annayya Kulal was the master of ceremonies.