Karnataka : Health Minister says NO to Government Medical College at Wenlock premises

Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister, K.R. Ramesh Kumar has ruled out the opening of a Government Medical College on the Wenlock Hospital premises. Giving preference to the setting up of a super specialty unit, in place of a government medical college, he felt the establishment of the former, would be of greater help to the common man.

Speaking to reporters, he said opening a government medical college was of no use as graduating doctors were unwilling to work in rural areas.

Calling it a mistake on the part of the government to want to set up government medical colleges he further stated, “Needy persons, who greatly rely on government hospitals, will be benefited from having super specialty units. I intend to have super specialty units and strengthen government hospitals in all districts.”

Going back to the understanding reached between the Government Wenlock Hospital and the KMC in 1954, the minister said that the latter had provided specialists, diagnostic facility and human resources, while ensuring clinical experience to its students, within the parameters of it.The understanding that comes to an end in 2017, has stood to benefit both, he further added.

At the meeting on Friday, Mr. Ramesh Kumar revealed that the KMC had consented to build a super super specialty block for the Wenlock Hospital. “But I have asked it to run the block and provide super specialty services for the poor,” he added.

The Minister said that if KMC agreed to his suggestion, then the arrangement would continue. Mr. Kumar expressed his commitment to strengthening the Wenlock Hospital.