Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (NR)

Udupi, Jan 19: An advanced 64-slice MD CT scanner was inaugurated at the Kasturba hospital by the union minister of State for labour and employment Oscar Fernandes here at Manipal, on Friday January 18.  

After the inaugural ceremony, in the course of his speech Fernandes reiterated his ministry's commitment to providing health insurance cover to over 6,000 rural unorganized labourers.  

Highlighting the need for having more experts in the medical field, he opined that presently as per the guidelines of the medical council, a professor can guide only two doctors. 

He however, opined that he was in favour of at least 10 doctors being allowed to be guided by each professor. And therefore he said his ministry has sent a proposal in the said matter to the Health Ministry.  

Giving statistical data with regard to the demand for nurses worldwide, he stated that as on date, America alone there is a requirement of close to one million trained nurses.   
 
At the same time, Oscar Fernandes also lauded the hospital authorities for introducing the latest CT scanner. He pointed out that "Upgrading technology would add to the value of the hospital."  

H S Ballal, the pro-chancellor of Manipal university speaking on the occasion opined that the advanced scanner would ensure better health care for patients and the medical faculty would benefit from the precise diagnosis made available through the machine.  

According to V R K Rao, head of the department of radio diagnosis and imaging at Kasturba Medical College (KMC) this latest scanner will prove useful in examining patients suffering from severe injuries and trauma involving many organs or bones and the heart.  

Chancellor of Manipal University Ramdas M Pai presided over the function. KMC dean Sripati Rao was also among those present.