Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
With Inputs from Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 13: Minister of state (independent charge) for AYUSH Shripad Naik on Sunday August 13 inaugurated
3 tesla MRI, the first in the coastal Karnataka region, and cath lab facility at Yenepoya University, Derelakatte.

Ramanath Rai, minister for forest, ecology and environment affairs, U T Khader, minister for food and civil supplies and consumer affairs department, and Padmashree B R Shetty, industrial icon of UAE were the guests of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Shripad Naik lauded the significant contribution of Yenepoya University towards healthcare in the region. He pointed out it is emerging as a leader among the younger universities in the country in infrastructure, medical education and healthcare. "Yenepoya Medical College Hospital has become a refuge for the people of the entire coastal Karnataka in times of medical distress, thus filling the long felt gap in medical services in the region. The government wants every citizen to lead a healthy life, and I acknowledge the contribution made by Yenepoya Medical College Hospital in this regard."

Emphasizing the National Health Policy 2017, he said, "The National Health Policy is an important document for the entire medical fraternity in the country. It identifies areas of concern regarding the health of our people with a focus on public health, reducing child mortality and increasing life expectancy in the country. The policy aims to achieve the vision of 'health for all' by making people healthy and productive. I request all professionals here to read the National Health Policy 2017 as it will help you look at your profession in a new light and make you think on how you could contribute to take the country forward in terms of healthcare. We also need to protect our people, especially the poor from financial risk related to healthcare

He further stressed that though India is rich in human resources, the country lacks trained medical professionals who are required to serve the underprivileged. "The country as a whole faces a severe shortage of medical professionals. We also need more number of institutions to intensify our efforts. The National Health Policy takes a realistic look at these constraints and aims to work around them. To ensure that the underserved and the underpriviliged get priority attention, the policy propose to raise public health expenditure to 2.5 percent of the GDP in time-bound manner," Naik said.

Stating that the government lays emphasis on government and private partnership in realizing the goal of 'heath for all', he said, "Yenepoya institutions have made a mark in healthcare and medical education, and have set an example for others to follow. More such quality institutions should rise and work with the government in various areas like training, primary healthcare, controlling of infectious diseases, immunisation services and disease surveillance. It is hoped that the private sector will have increased presence in rural and remote areas of the country."

Highlighting the importance of traditional and complementary system of AYUSH, Naik said, "Health professionals all over the world now realise that the different systems are actually fellow soldiers in the fight against ill health. AYUSH is now recognized as one of the potential role players in bridging the gap in healthcare. India's rich medical traditionals like Ayurveda and Unani offer numerous opportunities for study and research to professionals from modern medicine." He also urged Yenepoya University to consider adopting traditional system of medicine too alongside modern medicine, and called for integrative research to find solutions to various communicable and non-communicable diseases.

He called upon the doctors to join hands in accomplishing the national cause of 'health for all' and imbibe a sense of service in their careers.

Padmashree B R Shetty in his address said that he would be inviting Indian doctors for the global medical congress being held in Dubai between November 9 to 11. He said that he is setting up a hospital at Udupi in memory of well-known philanthropist, the late Haji Abdulla, where poor people would be provided treatment free of cost. He wished Yenepoya Medical College Hospital a bright future.

Yenepoya Mohammed Kunhi, chairman, IAE presented mementos to the chief guest and the guests of honour.

Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, chancellor, Yenepoya University delivered the presidential address. Dr Vijaya Kumar, vice-chancellor of Yenepoya University welcomed and briefed on the 3 tesla MRI and cath lab facility. Dr Mohd Amin Wani, chief operating officer / medical superintendent of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital proposed the vote of thanks.

Yenepoya Mohammed Kunhi and Dr G Shreekumar Menon, registrar, Yenepoya University were among other dignitaries on the dais. Dr Mallika Shetty compered the programme

About 3 Tesla MRI

The state-of-the-art 3 tesla MRI has been installed by the department of radiology of Yenepoya Medical College, for the first time in coastal and malnad Karnataka and Malabar Kerala. With the arrival of this ultramodern 3 tesla MRI, Yenepoya Medical College Hospital can do diagnostic MR imaging of the whole body with higher standards of clarity and accuracy. The diseases of brain, backbone, joints, liver, gall stones, kidneys, angiography, cancer at early stages can be diagnosed with much better accuracy with the new machine. In addition to better diagnosis, the new machine is one of the fastest in the category and as such will reduce waiting time for patients. The machine would also be of great use in children, elderly people and uncooperative patients with critical illness. The new technology will enable higher standards of healthcare at an affordable cost at Yenepoya Medical College Hospital.

About Cath Lab Facility

The ultra modern cath lab facility is equipped to handle all cardiac emergencies.

Some of the procedures undertaken in this centre are:

- Primary (acute heart attack) angioplasty
- Coronary and peripheral angiograms
- Coronary angioplasty
- Peripheral vascular interventions
- Temporary and permanent pace marker implantations
- ASD and PDA device clauses.

The centre has also started a full fledged modern CCU capable of handling all cardiac emergencies. All the facilities of this institution are available at the most affordable rates for the general public.