Early prevention of diseases our top priority: Dinesh Gundu Rao

Rithu Dravid | NT

Bengaluru: The importance of healthcare was felt when the dreaded COVID pandemic engulfed the nation.

Now that the pandemic is on the decline, new Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao spoke to Rithu Dravid of News Trail on his top priorities in improving the health scenario in Karnataka, which included upgrading Primary Health Care Centres to Community Health Centres, encouraging people to use government hospital facilities, and delivery of medicine to the doorsteps of people. Here are excerpts.

NT: Although you are a seasoned politician, does it help in politics being the son of a former CM?

Dinesh Gundu Rao: Yes, it is certainly a plus point. It definitely helps to connect with people. It gives me an early recognition as I am already very familiar with many prominent faces. But, at the same time we have to ultimately prove ourselves too.

As a Health Minister what are your top 3 priorities?

Everything is a priority now. We need to ensure that people are told about non-communicable diseases and its big impact on health. We are focusing on creating public awareness on changing and improving lifestyles and early prevention of the onset of diseases.

Prevention of diseases is our core area of focus. Early detection of diseases through health screenings of our population is the second focus. Thirdly, better infrastructure with good services at hospitals will be looked into.

What are the health initiatives you are planning?

We are trying to conduct mass population screenings so that we can determine early detection of diseases and prevent it. We plan to take this step forward in a big way.

With the ‘Gruha Arogya' scheme in mind, we will organise doorstep testing for dementia, diabetes, cancer, eyes etc. Doctors will be sent to everyone's doorstep and a check-up will be conducted.

This will include free medicines for selected problems particularly for diabetes and hypertension. This is because instead of treating after it has worsened, it is better to treat the disease before it appears. 

How can Bengaluru be turned into a health hub like it is an IT hub?

Bengaluru is already a Health hub, as we have a lot of health facilities in the state. Most of our medical technologies especially Medtech is big in Bengaluru. Others like TATAs, GE, and Phillips etc. are key players in medical technology and health services.

There was a row over Delhi Mohalla clinics after your visit to Delhi, what happened?

It's not a bad concept. What I said was, it was being ‘hyped’ as it was similar to our PHCs.

Lung diseases are a major killer in Karnataka. Why and how do you propose to tackle it?

Chest disease like Tuberculosis is a serious concern. Diseases like Lung cancer, respiratory problems, and heart ailments caused due to lifestyle habits like smoking tobacco, drinking etc are being addressed through awareness programmes.

You are the Dakshin Kannada district- in - charge minister. Any development plans?

We are trying to improve the tourism potential of the region. We will initiate new programmes and activities pertaining to tourism like Kerala and Goa have done. We are looking out for people who can invest in the IT sector as it is an educational hub.

As the district has many good beaches, we are looking out at a comprehensive tourism policy.

There is a rumour that your daughter will follow in her father's and grandfather's footsteps. Is this true?

(Smiles) As of now no such plans. She assists me a bit as I am busy. She also attends some public functions and programmes.

How will the government provide healthcare to all at an affordable price?

Yes, we are improving the ambulance services across the state. The services like MRIs, CT, and Dialysis are made more accessible across all district hospitals.

Call centres are more functional now to attend to medical queries and emergencies.

Recently you have spoken about a ban on hookah bars and increasing the age limit for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21 years.

An amendment to the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) will be brought in. Hookah is also like tobacco and cannot be consumed in public places.

The previous government had taken up the upgradation of 100 PHCs to community health centres. How is the progress?

Some of the centres ha