Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Tuesday urged newly graduated medical professionals not to limit their services to urban centres and to help strengthen healthcare delivery in rural areas.
Addressing the 28th Annual Convocation of the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) at the GKVK campus in Bengaluru, he said India is at a crucial juncture of social and technological transformation. While medical education and healthcare have advanced significantly, healthcare services must also reach villages and smaller towns. He said that by serving rural areas, doctors can help reduce the migration of people to cities in search of medical treatment.
Shivakumar appealed to the graduates to uphold the immense trust society places in doctors, describing them as "visible gods" who play a vital role in people's lives.
He said people approach doctors with great faith during their most difficult times and medical professionals must preserve that trust through dedicated service.
The Chief Minister, who also joined the Governor in conferring degrees on graduating students, said the medical profession is marked by constant challenges and intense competition. Drawing from his international travels, he noted that Indian doctors, particularly those from Karnataka, are serving in some of the world's most prestigious hospitals.
He said there is no match for the quality of medical education and healthcare professionals produced in Karnataka and that the talent, commitment, service and professional standards of doctors trained in the state are recognised globally.
Emphasising equitable healthcare access, Shivakumar once again urged graduates not to confine their services to urban centres.
The Chief Minister also voiced support for campaigns aimed at creating a drug-free India, Karnataka and educational campuses. He praised Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil for bringing unprecedented discipline and commitment to the department.
Shivakumar said the strength of a university lies not in the number of students or degrees awarded but in the quality of its faculty.
He said teachers must serve as guides and role models, inspiring students towards research and innovation, and assured that the Karnataka government would continue to extend all necessary support to the university.
Describing the occasion as his first address after assuming office as Chief Minister, Shivakumar reflected on his own journey.
"I was born a farmer, became an entrepreneur by profession, an educationist by choice, and a politician by interest," he said.
He highlighted that RGUHS is among the largest health sciences universities in the country, with 1,044 affiliated colleges and lakhs of students pursuing higher education under its umbrella.
The Chief Minister said Karnataka produces around 72,000 healthcare graduates every year, including 13,940 doctors, making it one of the largest contributors to the global healthcare workforce.
He said Karnataka has emerged as a hub of talent not only in information technology but also in healthcare. The state has 72 medical colleges, more than any other state in India, and doctors and nurses trained in Karnataka are serving across the world.
He also noted that Bengaluru is home to nearly 26 lakh IT professionals and has become a global centre for innovation and skilled manpower.
Shivakumar described RGUHS as a pillar of Karnataka's healthcare ecosystem and recalled the vision of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, after whom the university is named.
He said Rajiv Gandhi believed education was a powerful instrument for creating social equality. Over the last three decades, the university has produced nearly eight lakh graduates and has remained committed to providing healthcare services to all sections of society.
Sharing a personal anecdote, the Chief Minister said he could not complete his degree during his youth because he entered politics as a student. He eventually earned his degree from the University of Mysore in 2008 at the age of 47.
He said that although he had previously served as a minister, the joy of receiving his degree was unmatched. Addressing the graduates, he said a bright future lay ahead of them, the world was looking towards India, and he thanked them for choosing the noble profession of medicine. He urged them to pursue their goals with ideals and determination and achieve great success in life.
With Inputs From IANS
