Mysuru: Health department is all set to upgrade T Narasipura taluk hospital with more facilities. The hospital will also get a new modernized outpatient block in the existing premises, informed minister for health and family welfare U T Khader.

Addressing the press at the Government Guest Khader said that the department has chalked out a plan to extend hospital in T Narasipura. The works will be taken up soon under special grants, he said.

Adding to the details, he also said that rural service will be made mandatory to medical graduates, “graduates must serve for at least a year in rural areas from this academic year, it will be made mandatory to obtain certificates”, he added.

Situations in rural region is different as many depended on MBBS doctors, thus it will be a boon for one who is learning as well as one who is acquiring the help. He said that Rs 480 crores have been kept aside for the programme.

The nurses working under Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) will not be made permanent. Following the protest from former minister Kota Srinivasa Poojari in front of Health minister’s office in Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru to make 16 nurses in Udupi district, who are working under NRHM, minister termed the protest as politically motivated and said ministry is not only restricted for Udupi district but for state.

There are numerous nurses working under the programme across the state. If we make them permanent then fresh graduates will miss the opportunity. Existing nurses denied the opportunity to come under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme, few years ago.

There are certain legal as well as technical problems in making them permanent, he added.