From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Feb 16: Former union minister Dr Shashi Tharoor, MP, underscored the need for greater allocation of GDP for health in order to reduce the out of pocket expenses of the poor and improve health facilities across the country.
He was addressing the 56th Annual Convocation and College Day of St John's Medical College in Bengaluru on Saturday February 15.
A total of 163 health professionals were awarded their degree. This included 59 MBBS, 71 PG degree, 14 PG diploma, 18 Super Specialty, 1 PhD scholar.
Dr Shashi Tharoor emphasized the need to uphold the Hippocratic oath and to be sensitive to the needs of the impoverished and poor, who are in many a case living one catastrophic illness away from poverty.
The senior Congress leader from Kerala advised the graduates to uphold ethical rules that have been taught in practice, something that is a challenge today.
''Medicine cannot survive without ethics,'' he said and exhorted the graduates to help guide the country to greater heights, which is the need of the hour. It is necessary to make a change for the better and leave behind your contributions as a legacy for the generations to come, he advised.
Dr Shashi Tharoor lauded St John's for its contributions in healthcare in the country over the years and wished the graduates and postgraduates best for their lives in medicine - what he referred to as a ‘calling' and not a ‘profession.'
He also congratulated parents and teachers who had helped the graduates and awardees achieve this milestone in their lives.
'Power to Heal is a Calling'
''The power to heal has placed the medical profession several rungs above others, with the sick and needy being grateful for what they receive. Doctors need to acquire several skills to keep themselves updated to make a better professional to help the sick and needy,'' he said.
New and better opportunities have risen in several areas, while the need for professionals in rural and needy areas still remains. Doctors prefer to stay in cities and specialize in areas of disease of the rich.
Appreciating St John's for its efforts to train students to address some of these above mentioned. He emphasized on the need of such institutions to train more and more quality medical professionals to help bridge the gap in the doctor population ratio.
He wished that all the graduates would be truthful and steadfast to their profession and endeavoursin giving total commitment to fulfill the needs of this country.
Cardinal Oswald Gracias, president, Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI), in his presidential address congratulated St John's for its contributions and achievements.
He wished the best for the institution to strive for continued excellence and also for their long journey of learning in life and in building a better India for tomorrow.
St John's was started in 1963 with the mission to train health care personnel to serve in rural and underserved areas of our country. This year, nearly 40 (of 58, 70%) of the outgoing MBBS graduates have opted to serve for two years in various underprivileged areas of India.
The college has been consistently ranked amongst the top five medical colleges in the country by various surveys. Since 2016, the college has been admitting 150 students, with 98% of the first batch of 150 students passing the University exam.
Five Star Grading
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council, a Review Committee of the University Grants Commission, has recognized the excellence of St John's Medical College and Hospital and accorded it with a 5 star grading.
The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Establishments has awarded the NABH accreditation for the hospital till 2023. The college is supported by a state of the art 1400 bedded hospital, with nearly 2500 outpatients daily and 1200 in-patients with over 950 doctors serving in the Institution. Every year, over 500 International students mainly from Europe, USA, Middle East & Africa come to St John's as observers for elective postings or to work in the Institute's research labs.
The institute is one of the 10 MCI nodal centers across India to train faculty in medical education from various medical colleges across South India.
St John's has consistently had very good academic results and this year was no exception.
Almost 90% of students in all years of MBBS have passed the University exams this year. Nearly a third of these scored a first class. 6 undergraduates obtained University ranks in 11 subjects. Dr AmodiniLaksmeshwar got the 10th rank overall in MBBS, at the university level. 100% of the postgraduates passed, with 11 students getting university ranks. Dr Nisha in general surgery, Dr Pravin in OBG and Dr Fazal Rehman in orthopedics came first in the university and were awarded gold medals. Among the postdoctoral students, Dr Kumar KP came second in cardiology and Dr Kurian Thomas came third in neurology at the university.
Fr Dr Paul Parathazham, director of St John's National Academy of Health Sciences welcomed the gathering, and emphasized the mission and vision of the institution to reaching out to the unreached and excellence in providing training in healthcare.
The dean of St John's Medical College, Dr George D'Souza highlighted on the various achievements of the students and staff and of the institution and the various new teaching and research programs that have been introduced at the institution.
The graduates, post graduates and super-specialty graduates were presented their certificates, as well as the various awards won over the years of study.
Dr Nachiket Shankar was awarded the Pioneers Award for being the best teacher for the 6th time in a row. Dr Sr Beatrice of the batch of 1964 was awarded the Sr Dr Mary Glowrey Award, the highest award of the St John's Medical College Alumni Association for service in rural and underprivileged areas of the country, for her dedicated and selfless service in various parts of the country.