“India is now at the crossroads of social and technological transformation. It has seen cutting-edge innovations in the field of medical education and health. You should not focus only on providing health services in urban areas, but also focus on providing health services in rural areas,” said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, speaking after conferring degrees to medical and nursing students at the annual convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences held at the GKVK campus in Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Mr. Shivakumar added, “By working in rural areas, health care professionals can stop rural people from coming to urban areas in search of medical treatment.” Karnataka has the highest number of health science colleges in the country. It produces 72,000 health science graduates every year, of which 13,940 are doctors.

“This is the first convocation I have attended after assuming office as the Chief Minister. I am a farmer by birth, a businessman by profession, an educationist by choice, and a politician by interest. Therefore, I am very concerned about the development of education, especially medical education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil announced the establishment of a cancer hospital, medical college, and trauma care centre in every district.

He said, “The government is working towards establishing government medical colleges, cancer hospitals, and trauma care centres in every district of the State. The government aspires that the common people of Karnataka get good, quality, and affordable healthcare services in their own State, he said.

Nailady Sridhar Shetty, former president, Dental Council of India, Harshangi Veerabhadrappa, renowned paediatrician, and A.C. Shanmugam, Founder-Chancellor of Rajarajeshwari Medical College and Hospital, were conferred with honorary doctorates in recognition of their distinguished service in the fields of education, health, and social service.

A total of 103 students were awarded gold medals for scoring the highest marks in various disciplines. More than 72,000 were awarded degrees.

Governor and Chancellor, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Vice-Chancellor, Bhagavan B.C. and others were present.