Hubballi: The state govt is planning to bring Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and taluk hospitals under an adoption programme involving govt and private medical colleges to strengthen rural healthcare.
Sources said a nodal officer will be appointed for each adopted institution. The proposal, likely to be implemented through MoUs with the Department of Health and Family Welfare at the district level, comes amid a shortage of specialist doctors, including paediatricians and gynaecologists, in rural hospitals. Vacancies have forced many patients to depend on district hospitals or costly private facilities even for basic treatment. Medical colleges will help provide specialist rooms, testing equipment, laboratory facilities and support staff. Local ASHA workers and healthcare staff will identify patients, arrange referrals and schedule appointments ahead of specialist visits.
Dr Parashuram FK, district health officer, Dharwad, told TOI that the govt is proposing a scheme under which every public and private medical college will adopt one taluk hospital, one CHC and one PHC to strengthen rural healthcare and medical training. “If the govt asks for proposals from Dharwad district, we will recommend linking the Navalagund Taluk Hospital to KMC-RI, the Amminabhavi CHC to SDM Hospital, and the Kundgol and Kalghatgi taluk hospitals to KMC-RI Hospital. The state government will take the final call,” Parashuram added. If implemented, the scheme will enable patients to access specialist and emergency care closer to home while giving medical students practical exposure to emergency procedures, surgeries, maternal care and paediatrics.