Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Mar 5: Kenya health care delegation consisting of 10 members led by Mombasa State Chief Health Secretary visited Mangaluru for long term collaboration with three major hospitals, Yenepoya, Mangalore Institute of Oncology and Kanachur.

Addressing media persons here on Sunday, March 4, Facilitator Mangaluru health tourism task force Sanjay Bhat said, "Recognising the potential of Mangaluru in becoming an international health tourism destination, we have constituted a health tourism task force to boost local health infrastructure and economy. Mombasa-Mangaluru partnership is the first international collaboration of Mangaluru hospitals in this area, within 6 months of constituting the task force. This was possible due to strategic relationship of our task force members,"

CIM global with Mombasa stakeholders and enthusiasm of Mangaluru hospitals, helped us seize this opportunity, he added.

“Mombasa signing up the MoU with three major Mangaluru based hospitals will help small countries to be benefitted from medical treatment, accommodation, facilities at an affordable cost here, compared to other cities. The tie-up between both the cities will improve the medical tourism. Mangaluru is a leader in health care delivery and education in India. I am happy that we are developing a destination based strategy to promote the entire city,” Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader said.

Chief Officer of Health Department of Health Services Mombasa County Kenya, Dr Khadija Sood Shikley, said, “We are here to partner with Mangaluru in all aspects of health, from training of our health care professionals to advanced treatment to our citizens. We have a lot in common with Mangaluru. We are a bustling port city ourselves on the east coast of Kenya. We think Mangaluru is an ideal partner for us with its international airport, world class medical eco system, tourist attractions and friendly people. It is all about building connections between both the governments and also the two cities, Mombasa and Mangaluru. This can help us to improve the capacity building and get trained as well,” Shikley said.

“We opted Mangaluru because of the high standard of skills and treatment, provided in the hospitals. Mangalore Institute of Oncology has every facility which is not in our country and the expense also comes down for the treatment and accommodation here. There is lot of similarity between Mombasa and Mangaluru in the medical field. This collaboration is through government. Earlier patients would come, but privately. The official system through the government will help patients avail better benefits,” Shikley added.

The delegation visited Kanachur Hospital later. They were received by Haji U K Monu, chairman, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences and WAKF, president of Dakshina Kannada, Abdul Rahiman, director, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Sreesha Khandige, associate dean, Kanachur Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr Rohan Monis, chief administrative officer, Kanachur Hospital & Research Centre.

The Mombasa Kenya delegation consisted of Dr Khadija Sood Shikely, county chief officer for Health Services, llhan Abass, chief investment officer, Kibwana Baya, member of Assembly, Mombasa, Alphonce Haro, county chief officer for Pubic Service Management, Dr Peter Sore, cardiothoracic sugeon, Dr Fardosa Ahmed, chief executive officer, Premier Hospital, Mombasa, Dr Iqbal, chief officer, Province Hospital, Dr Bajaber Abdalla, chief physician, Sub County Hospital and Dr Madhu Patel, chief anaestheist and intensivist.

Sanjay Bhat, founder, Mindful Consulting and Anita, founder, CIM Global were the facilitators in the delegation.