Merge alternative medicines with the western medicine'

Mangalore, October 17: The undivided Dakshina Kannada district has the best hospitals and doctors. With this the district has great potential to convert the districts into a medical destination and tap medical tourism, said Karnataka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat after inaugurating the BJP National Medical Wing's workshop on 'National Medical Policy', in Mangalore on Sunday.

“There is a need to concentrate on health security. The 108 service should also reach remote villages. Many of the hospitals today need funds. When government is giving its share, even corporate companies can contribute as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity,” he said.

Only if one strives for development, one can bring change in the society, he added.

Addressing the workshop veteran dermatologist Dr Ganesh Pai spoke on the importance of integrating alternative medicines such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy and others with the western medicine. Many a times diseases have been cured with alternative medicines, even when modern doctors had lost hope, he said.

“There is a need to have private and public partnership, for efficient working,” he commented. He also regretted that many doctors abuse the system and take advantage of facilities. “They treat well-off patients in hospitals and take money in the clinics. However, they do not enter the treatment details in the hospital ledger,” he said and advised hospitals to be strict in these matters.

The programme was presided over by BJP Doctors' Cell, Karnataka, Working Committee Member Dr K Mohandas Bhandary.

The inauguration was followed by lectures on topics “Medical Education and National Health Care Vision” and “Social Political Responsibility of Medical Professional”.

Eminent medical practitioners such as Nitte University Vice-Chancellor Dr M Shantharam Shetty, Physician and Cardiologist Dr K Mohan Pai, Fr Mullers Homeopathic Medical College Former Principal Dr S K Tiwari, Dr M V Shetty Nursing College Principal B V Kathayayini were the resource persons.