Addressing members of Mangalore Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) as chief guest on the occasion of Doctor's Day recently at Dr. A.V. Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, Mangalore, he said health department should cover every sector of society.
“Protecting people from bad habits is important for good health. In this regard our first step was to ban gutka products in the state,” he said.
Applauding the doctors present at the programme he said, everyone wants to become a doctor, but very few succeed in achieving their dream.
Continuing in a lighter vein, he said: “I hail from a family filled with doctors. Both of my brothers are doctors and many of my cousins too. My parents wanted me to become a doctor and 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!”
He said that shortage of doctors continues to be a major problem in government sector. “Though we are offering high salaries on contract basis, such as Rs. 40,000 for MBBS graduates 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 effective. Hence we are considering raising the fine to Rs. 10 lakh,” he said.
On the occasion, Mr Khadar felicitated three senior doctors - Dr. Ganesh S. Pai, dermatologist and cosmetologist; Dr. M. Vijay Kumar, 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 Mr Khadar by Dr. C.P. Habeeb Rehman, Chairman of Unity Health Complex 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, Ms. Rachana, Ms. Neha Mallya and Master Arush for being adjudged the 'Best Dressed Kids' as part of Doctors' Day.
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 proposed the vote of thanks. Dr. Annayya Kulal compered the programme.
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