Madikeri MLA Dr. Manthar Gowda has called upon young doctors to come forward in greater numbers to serve the rural population of Kodagu district, assuring that the government would provide the necessary infrastructure and facilities to support them.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Doctors’ Day celebrations organised by the Kodagu unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Madikeri.
Dr. Manthar Gowda said doctors shoulder a tremendous responsibility in delivering quality healthcare despite numerous challenges. Referring to his tenure as MLA, he said efforts have been made to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the district by providing essential medical facilities to several hospitals, including the District Government Hospital at Madikeri. He urged doctors to serve with dedication in village and taluk hospitals to help address the shortage of medical professionals in rural areas.
The MLA said the government is committed to developing the District Government Hospital into a model healthcare institution by providing modern infrastructure and improved facilities. He further announced that a fully equipped haemodialysis unit would soon be established at the hospital, reducing the need for patients from Kodagu to travel to other districts for treatment. Describing the medical profession as one founded on human values and compassion, Dr. Manthar Gowda said that, being a doctor himself, he fully understands the concerns and challenges faced by the medical fraternity. He assured members of the IMA that he would positively respond to their genuine demands.
Although the Kodagu unit of the Indian Medical Association may have comparatively fewer members, he said the dedication and service rendered by doctors in the district are invaluable and cannot be measured by seniority alone. He also shared some of his experiences from his medical career.
IMA Kodagu Unit President Dr. Shyam Appanna said that since the MLA is himself a medical professional, he is well aware of the problems and challenges faced by doctors. He urged Dr. Manthar Gowda to address the concerns of doctors working under difficult conditions in Kodagu and sought the government’s support in constructing a permanent office building for the Kodagu unit of the association.
Dr. Prashanth, General Secretary of the IMA Kodagu Unit, welcomed the gathering and introduced the association’s new members. The programme, compered by Dr. Sumukh, concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Sudhakar.
Among those present were Dr. Mohan Appaji, State Vice-President of the Indian Medical Association, Dr. Ayyappa, Dean of the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences Dr. Lokesh, and several members of the medical fraternity.
During the programme, Dr. Manthar Gowda was also conferred honorary membership of the Kodagu unit of the Indian Medical Association.
Senior Doctors Felicitated
As part of the Doctors’ Day celebrations, the Kodagu unit of the Indian Medical Association felicitated several senior doctors in recognition of their distinguished service to the medical profession.
The doctors honoured included Dr. Ramesh Bopaiah, Dr. M.A. Devaiah, Dr. Purushottam, Dr. Kushwant Kozhibailu and Dr. Renuka.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kushwant Kozhibailu said that during the tenure of former Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, amendments to the State’s medical policy enabled private practitioners to establish clinics without unnecessary delays, benefiting doctors across Karnataka. Accepting the felicitation, Dr. Purushottam said the District Government Hospital had received medical equipment worth Rs. 20 crore, significantly strengthening healthcare services and benefiting both doctors and patients.
