From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Feb 16: Public healthcare sector will be able to meet the expectations of common man if doctors treat patients like their kin, said Health and Family Welfare as well as medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Addressing the students at the graduation day ceremony of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute Dr Sudhakar said there are about 3 lac staff serving in the health department. But the service provided at government hospitals is perceived to be not up to the mark.
Doctors can change this perception if they serve with dedication and treat each patient as their kin and help in transforming the healthcare sector said the minister.
The health sector will be a major focus area in the upcoming state budget that will be presented by chief minister BS Yediyurappa, he said.
Doctors will play a big role in realising the state government’s dream of building an Arogya Karnataka.
More than 70% of our population reside in rural areas and 20-25% of the health facilities are in rural areas. Young medical professionals should come forward to serve in rural areas, the minister appealed to graduating students, Dr Sudhakar said.
"Health sector has been a priority for our state government. We have started an initiative to revamp and upgrade our PHCs, which are the building blocks of our public healthcare system. The Centre in its budget has allocated Rs 2.3 lac crore for health sector which is an increase of 137% from the previous year,’’ he said.
The minister said student life is a crucial period in everyone's life.
Now you are stepping into the real world. But your learning should not stop here. Learning, research and innovation should be always part of your life. The role of doctors in fighting the pandemic has been commendable and I appreciate their efforts,’’ said the minister.
Dr Sudhakar said it is a matter of great pride that India could develop and manufacture a vaccine for COVID-19 within 10 months. So far we have vaccinated 5 lac healthcare workers and frontline workers in the state added the minister.