Mangaluru: Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T Khader on Tuesday said that the proposal to set up a government medical college in the city will be included in the next budget.

As of now, Kasturba Medical College which utilizes the resources of Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, allegedly, was not making proper payments for the usage of space and facilities.

Speaking to reporters here in the city, the minister said that he would propose the setting up of government medical college in the city – which is a long pending demand of the locals. However, he said it would take at least  three years to complete.

The required 20 acres of land and the hospital is available. I will request the government to set aside funds for the construction of a separate building for medical college. Subsequently, we will send a proposal to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for approval, he said.

24×7 pharmacies in all district hospitals

The minister said that the State government has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Latex Ltd, to set up diagnostic centres and generic drug stores in all district hospitals, which will provide diagnostic facilities and drugs at affordable costs. We have approved the structure and HLL has identified the place. It will start function in three months, he said.

Upgrade of Wenlock hospital

District Surgeon and Medical Superintendent H.R. Rajeshwari said various facilities in the government Wenlock Hospital have been upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs 1.6 crore. These facilities will be formally inaugurated on Friday, December 5th, she said.

New facilities include a sewage plant, a full-fledged mortuary, a dental department which will function in association with A.J Institute of Dental Sciences, Intensive care Unit (ICU) with 12-bedded semi-ICUs, X-ray centre, DRTB centre to diagnose tuberculosis, Club foot care centre which will work under Cure International India trust, she explained.