Mangaluru: Dr B Shantharam Baliga feted with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’

Media Release

October 8, 2019

Mangaluru, Oct 8: Eminent city based pediatrician and neonatologist Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga has been feted with ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Indian Academy of Paediatrics Neonatalogy Chapter. The national level award was conferred upon him on September 28, 2019 during ‘IAPNEOCON 2019’, the 12th National Conference of Indian Academy of Paediatrics Neonatology Chapter held at Chancery Pavillion Hotel, Bengaluru. Dr. Karthik Nagesh N. and Dr. Praveen Venkatagiri, organizing Chairman and Organizing Secretary of the conference respectively officiated the award handover ceremony.

‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ was given to Dr. Baliga for his extraordinary contribution to improving Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in public health sector.

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga is a veteran neonatologist who has been actively associated with public health sector for nearly three decades. He is credited with developing the NICU at Lady Goschen Hospital and PICU at Government Wenlock Hospital with modern high end facilities. He was pivotal in creating the Regional Advanced Pediatric Care Centre (RAPCC) at Mangaluru, which is considered to be a model facility of its kind. He has envisioned the new NICU at Lady Goschen Hospital after the hospital underwent renovation this year. The new NICU is designed to be on par with corporate hospitals and is a boon to poor patients.

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga served at Kasturba Medical College as Professor of Pediatrics including stints as Head of the Department. He has also been a President of National Neonatology Forum, Karnataka State Chapter. He has often served on various government consultative bodies for improving child health in the country.

Dr. B. Shantharam Baliga has been associated with Malaria control programme of Mangaluru City Corporation since its inception in the early ‘90s. Most recently on his initiative, conceptualization and perseverance, Mangaluru City Corporation was able to develop the Malaria control software, which has been highly effective in tight monitoring of Malaria in the city.

He spearheaded an initiative of the state government to establish special newborn care units in 19 district hospitals across the State by health department. His role included setting up full-fledged baby care units and training the personnel. This has benefited thousands of poor families and saved countless lives. About 5-6000 babies are treated at these units annually.

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Congratulations to Doctor Baliga. You deserve this award and more .

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Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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