Mangaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to respond to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to observe June 21 as International Yoga Day and lead the state on that day notwithstanding voices of dissent from various organizations.
Health and family welfare minister U T Khader told the media here that the government would consider Yoga as a form of exercise. “Yoga is good for health. There are cases where Yoga has worked for patients when medicines could not. We should consider Yoga as a form of exercise and nothing beyond that. Such events should be used to promote Yoga. I practice Yoga whenever I find time. Yoga along with diet and walking that helped reduce my weight from 95 kg to 75 kg. Those who want will do Yoga others will not,” he added.
He said Mr Siddaramaiah would inaugurate the event in Bengaluru on June 21.
Longer working hours for docs in PHCs
After getting the Presidential nod for compulsory rural service for medical students, the health department plans to extend the working hours of PHCs with the help of those who have completed MBBS.
"We want to start this rural service this year and held talks with medical health education minister and officials to chalk out future plans. At present, PHCs are open from 8 am to 4 pm. To help the working class we want to extend the working hours to 8 pm with the help of students who pass MBBS this year and come for rural service," minister U.T. Khader added.
He said “This year, 6675 students appeared for MBBS exams and 2988 for post-graduation. There are 2353 PHCs, 205 CHCs, 146 taluk hospitals and 30 district hospitals. The health department already has about 2000 doctors. Those who pass MBBS will serve in PHCs and post graduates will serve in CHCs and Taluk Hospitals. Since the number of those passing out is more, each PHC will have two doctors. Also working hours of PHCs will be extended.”
The committee headed by deputy commissioner and another committee headed by MLAs would monitor the service of these doctors.
