Latest news with #KMCRI
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Tobacco use increases despite awareness efforts
Hubballi/ Belagavi: As World No-Tobacco Day is observed on May 31, health officials in the district highlighted the growing challenge of tobacco and gutka consumption, which is fuelling a surge in oral cavity cancers, hypertension, and heart disease. Despite bans, illegal sales persist, especially targeting youth. Tobacco usage has skyrocketed in adults and the younger population alike. Day by day, new users are added, resulting in a rise in devastating tobacco-related diseases such as hypertension, cardiac diseases, stroke, pulmonary diseases, and cancers such as head and neck malignancy, lung malignancy, colorectal malignancy, etc. According to the survey, adolescents and children are the prime targets of the tobacco industry when recruiting new smokers. About 20 million children aged 10–14 are estimated to be tobacco-addicted, according to a survey done by the National Sample Survey Organisation of the Indian govt. To this astounding figure, approximately 5,500 new users are added every day, resulting in two million new users each year. Dr Shashidhar K, head of the department of surgical oncology, Karnataka Medical College-Research Institute (KMCRI), said that they are currently treating 50-60 patients with this cancer, often caused by tobacco use. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alerta: Você tem zumbido no ouvido? Dica de ouro pode aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo Major surgeries are performed on 500 people, and minor surgeries are performed on 700 people. "Nowadays, youth are addicted to tobacco. There are several ways to curb tobacco addiction, such as chewing on sugar-free gums or lozenges, using prescription nicotine nasal spray or patches, avoiding triggers, trying to incorporate physical activities such as sports, yoga, meditation, and seeking help from a professional de-addiction therapist," Dr Shashidhar said. Shashidhar said that the World No Tobacco Day campaign aims at curbing the deceptive marketing tactics of the tobacco industry. There are proven ways to prevent youth from using tobacco and avoid a lifetime of addiction, such as family expectations and communication, education about the risks and consequences of using tobacco, etc. Awareness rally World No Tobacco Day was observed at Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute, Hubballi, on Saturday. The department of surgical oncology organised an awareness programme today on the current year's theme: 'Unmasking the Appeal: Exposing Industry Tactics on Tobacco and Nicotine Products'. An awareness rally was held on the hospital premises near the outpatient department. Doctors and nurses actively participated in the rally, displaying placards on the devastating consequences of continued tobacco use. A street play was performed by nursing students, displaying the ill effects of tobacco, which was well received by the audience. Dr SF Kammar, director of KMCRI, and others were present. Awareness programme at Belagavi college The NSS cell of BV Bellad Law College, Belagavi, organised an awareness programme to mark World No Tobacco Day on Saturday. The event aimed at spreading awareness about the ill-effects of tobacco and the need to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Being the chief guest, Dr Vivek Honalli, district malaria officer, emphasised the grave health consequences associated with tobacco consumption. Dr Shweta Patil, district consultant, tobacco control programme, spoke on the govt initiatives aimed at tobacco control and the importance of youth participation in building a tobacco-free society. College principal Jyoti G Hiremath appreciated the efforts of the NSS Cell.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
No case of COVID-19 in Dharwad, no need to panic: Minister Lad
As there were no cases of COVID-19 infection in Dharwad district so far, there is no need for the residents of Dharwad district to panic, said Santosh Lad, Labour Minister and district in-charge for Dharwad . Chairing a meeting on COVID-19 preparations at Karnataka Medical College and Research Centre (KMCRI) in Hubballi on Wednesday, however he said that it was essential that everyone took precautionary measure in the wake of such cases being reported elsewhere in the State and the country. The Minister said that soon the government would be issuing the COVID-19 advisory and everyone should adhere to it. 'It is essential to maintain social distance at public places and use sanitisers and face masks . Especially senior citizens, pregnant women should be careful. Seniors should better put off their travel plans,' he said. Chief Medical Officer of KMCRI Rajashekhar Dyaberi said that already COVID-19 task force had been constituted and a 40-bedded ward had been kept ready, The ward had all the requisite facilities including ventilators, he said. He said that they were expecting arrival of COVID-19 test kits by next week and subsequently the testing would start. Deputy Commissioner of Dharwad Divya Prabhu G.R.J. said that it was necessary the people should immediately approach the doctors for treatment of fever and cough instead of neglecting it. Mr. Lad subsequently visited various wards of KMCRI and also checked the facilities at the COVID-19 ward.
Deccan Herald
12-05-2025
- Health
- Deccan Herald
Set up organ retrieval centres in district hospitals, medical colleges: Gundu Rao to officials
The minister instructed officials to explore the KMCRI model to establish HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) laboratories under the Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST) in three locations across the state. An HLA lab supports organ and bone marrow transplantation by helping technicians match donors and recipients for transplants.
The Hindu
24-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Minister promises to look into enhancing recurring expenses of KMCRI in Hubballi
Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development Sharanprakash Patil has said that he will take up the demand for enhancing the recurring expenses of Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI) with the Finance Department after verifying expenses under various heads in the past three years. Addressing a press conference in Hubballi, Dr. Patil admitted that there is pressure on KMCRI as it is the sole tertiary care unit in Kittur Karnataka catering to the healthcare needs of patients from several districts. He said that the government has already provided additional healthcare facilities at the hospital under various programmes. 'We want to ensure that every district has adequate healthcare facility and that's why it has been proposed to set up medical colleges in every district and also set up super-speciality hospitals. A government hospital will cater to the healthcare needs of the common man at affordable prices. Moreover, it is free for BPL card holders,' he said. To a query, he clarified that the entitled grants of KMCRI are being released regularly. On the issue of private practice of doctors, he said that the government has already issued a circular directing that doctors should do private practice only after 4 p.m. And, also, it has been made mandatory to register their attendance four times in a day and there will also be CCTV surveillance. 'Attendance will be checked regularly along with CCTV footage and any absenteeism will be treated seriously and penalised through cut in their salaries,' he said. 'Not responding' On the demand for establishment of an AIIMS in Raichur, the Minister said that while the issue has been raised several times, the Centre 'has not responded positively' to the proposal so far. Karnataka and Kerala are the only two States where there is no AIIMS, he said. To a query, he said that the issue of appointing a full-time director to KMCRI will be taken up soon but clarified that the acting director has all the powers of a full-time director. To another query on the lack of medicine and doctors prescribing medicine to be purchased from medical stores, he said that he will take it up during the review meeting. He clarified that writing prescriptions for outside medicine is strictly prohibited and action will be taken against in such cases. The Minister said that the government has proposed an increase of 800 undergraduate medical seats and 750 post-graduate seats for clinical courses in the government medical colleges of the State and expressed the confidence that the NMC will give its approval. Inauguration Subsequently, the Minister inaugurated the computerised laboratory, Brachytherapy (cancer therapy unit) set up at a cost of ₹2.2 crore, two modular operation theatres and a renovated outdoor stadium developed at a cost of ₹1.5 crore. Acting director of KMCRI S.F. Kammar and other senior doctors were present. He also held a review meeting later and visited the construction site of the branch of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology which is planned to be completed in a year's time.
