The Legislature sub-committee of the government of Karnataka has recommended shifting of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO) out of Bangalore. It has also asked for setting up of satellite centres of the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in other parts of the State. In addition, it called for establishing a regional centre of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in north Karnataka. Another suggestion was for appointing an officer to supervise post-mortems during public holidays.
The recommendations are made in the report of the State's health and family welfare department for 2002-03 by a committee headed by Dr. M P Nandagouda.
Dr. Nandagouda observed that the location of KMIO was not conducive for effective treatment of cancer patients in view of the high level of air pollution and noise conditions in the city.
Stating that a total of 14,000 cancer patients had come to the Institute for receiving treatment this year, the Committee pointed out that the number of cancer patients was increasing everyday while environmental conditions around the Institute were worsening. The Committee has recommended that the State government to shift the Institute to Nelamangala or Kanakapura in Bangalore rural district.
The Committee has suggested setting up of satellite centres of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and NIMHANS with a view to reduce the pressure on the Institutes in Bangalore.
In the last five years, the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology has treated 44,000 in-patients and conducted 3,000 open-heart surgeries.
Referring to the Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy, the Committee has suggested the State government to increase the number of such hospitals besides upgrading the existing ones by appointing more doctors and dieticians.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the progress made by the Sri Jayachamarajendra Institute of Medicine over the years, the Committee said that steps should be taken to develop the Institute in order to prevent people from going to Kerala for receiving Ayurveda treatment.
The Committee has also taken exception to the cut in allocation for purchase of health kits, which are given to pregnant women. While Rs. 95 lakh was allotted last financial year, it has come down to Rs. 50 lakh this year. More funds should be earmarked for the programmes helpful to women, noted Dr. Nandagouda.
During 2000, a total of 1,09,118 malaria cases were reported in Karnataka and in 2001 it was 1,97,625 cases. The Committee report has it that the number of cases was increasing every day due to failure of the health department in chalking out a plan for spraying insecticides in different parts of the State.
The Committee has taken strong exception to the stoppage of subscription of journals and periodicals in the libraries that come under the Directorate of Medical Education. "It is unfortunate that due to the non-availability of latest journals and periodicals in the libraries in government medical colleges, students are forced to visit private medical colleges to prepare for their thesis", he said.
Further, the Committee also observed that several medical equipments were lying unused for the last 10-15 years in several government hospitals. Unless and until the construction of a hospital is completed no equipment is to be purchased, the Committee recommended. It has also suggested to the State government to open blood banks in the seven newly created districts in the State.