Doctors must focus more on rural healthcare, says BLDE Pro-Chancellor

Despite a steady rise in the number of medical graduates every year, rural populations continue to remain underserved in terms of healthcare access, Y.M. Jayaraj, Pro-Chancellor of BLDE Deemed University, Vijayapura, has said.

He was speaking at the annual award presentation ceremony organised by the Dr. P.S. Shankar Pratishthan in Kalaburagi city on Thursday. Dr. Jayaraj said many primary health centres (PHCs) were functioning without specialist doctors, resulting in inadequate medical care for patients in rural areas. He stressed the need for healthcare professionals to critically review and strengthen the existing public health-care system.

He also underlined the importance of doctor-patient communication, noting that patients often place immense trust in doctors. “When patients regard doctors with reverence, it becomes the responsibility of medical professionals to respond with equal sincerity, dedication and ethical commitment,” he said.

Referring to developments in medical education, Dr. Jayaraj said the healthcare sector was undergoing a major transformation and was expected to witness significant growth by 2030. He said students must equip themselves to compete at national and international levels.

India currently has over 800 medical colleges, including 45 in Karnataka. With continued policy support from the Union government, MBBS seats are expected to increase from one lakh to two lakh, while postgraduate medical seats are projected to rise from 50,000 to 75,000 in the coming years, he said.

On the occasion, Dr Jayaraj appreciated the contribution of Dr. P.S. Shankar Pratishthan in promoting education and professional excellence.

City Police Commissioner Sharanappa.S.Dhage released the Pratishthan’s Calendar on the occasion. Scholarships were awarded to 10 medical students and three engineering students.

Former National Medical Commission chairman Dr. B.N. Gangadhar was conferred the Dr. P.S. Shankar Vaidya Shree Award, carrying a cash prize of ₹15,000 and a memento. Dr. Annappa Pangi of Athani in Belagavi district received the Dr. P.S. Shankar Vaidya Sahitya Award, which included a cash prize of ₹7,500 and a memento.

Both awardees donated the prize money back to the Prathisthan to support its ongoing initiatives.

The programme was presided over by Ambika Shankar, president of the Prathisthan. Renowned physician Dr. P.S. Shankar, working president of Prathisthan Dr. H. Veerabhadrappa and its secretary Narendra Badasheshi were present.