From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangaluru, Mar 22: Both the Union and State governments are focusing on revamping medical education qualitatively, said Karnataka Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Friday, March 25.
Presiding over Physiocon 2022, an international conference on physiotherapy by The South Canara Physiotherapy Teachers Association here, Dr Sudhakar said that there are seven physiotherapists for a population of 10,000 in America. However, in India, there is a ratio of just 0.59 physiotherapists for a population of 10,000.
“To bridge the shortage of doctors and other specialists, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been focusing on revamping medical education in the country establishing many more new medical colleges.
With the increased number of colleges, there will be a higher output of doctors which will help ease this shortage, he added.
“Medicines cure diseases but physiotherapy gives a new lease of life. Physiotherapy provides solutions to many problems including disability, nerve related issues etc. In the modern day, knowledge is the most important power. In physiotherapy, skill is just as essential as knowledge and physiotherapists must develop their skills,’’ he said.
Dr Sudhakar said technology and research will play a key role in physiotherapy, which is a very old body of knowledge.
“The Indian system of medicine and Ayurveda has several aspects of physiotherapy,’’ he said.
Those who perform Yoga and Pranayama every day will gain the power to recover quickly even if they fall sick. It is important to note how important physical activity is to stay healthy, he recommended.
“When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the Health Department in collaboration with National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS), began to provide psychological counseling to COVID-19 patients and their families. In the initial days, there were instances where people suffered panic attacks after they tested positive for Covid-19. To provide mental strength and emotional support to them, counseling sessions were conducted. Under this program, around 25 lakh people were provided with psychological counseling,” he stated.
“We should provide mental health services along with physical health services to people. For this, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced Tele Mental Health program. This will be done in collaboration with NIMHANS and it is a proud thing that Karnataka government's initiative will now be emulated across the country,’’ he explained.
Speaking to media representatives after the event, Dr Sudhakar reiterated that students who returned from war torn Ukraine will be allowed to continue their learning in over 60 medical colleges in the state.
The minister said there should not be any hindrance to their learning. So our government is providing them with an opportunity to continue learning. A committee has been formed to look into this.
“This will not be an additional financial burden to the students. We don't know what will happen in the future, whether the students would be willing to go back after a ceasefire or not. So this is a temporary measure to allow them to continue their learning. This arrangement will be made in government, private and deemed colleges,’’ he added.
The event was inaugurated by Arif Mohammed Khan, governor of Kerala, the keynote address was by Dr M Ramesh, vice chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, special address by Dr H S Ballal, pro-Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal.
Young achiever awardee Dr Shajir Gaffar, CEO, VPS Health Care - Dubai & Northern Emirates was on the dais along with the guests of honour Dr Ali Irani, chairman - International Affairs of Indian Association of Physiotherapists and Dr Sanjiv K Jha, president, Indian Association of Physiotherapists.