Popular surgeon Dr. Harish Gowda lists three key priorities – quality and affordable healthcare for all, right to quality education and skill development among the youth
Bengaluru, Apr 6, 2024: Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency has a new political entrant – Dr. Harish Gowda, a leading surgeon from Basavanagudi.
A laparoscopic surgeon with over 20 years of experience in the medical field and founder and chief surgeon at HIMAS Hospital, Dr. Gowda says his decision to contest this Lok Sabha election as an independent candidate is because of his strong belief in the ‘People First’ ideology.
Releasing his manifesto today, Dr. Gowda says it is built on a 5-point agenda focussing primarily on quality and affordable healthcare for all, right to quality education, among others.
Dr. Gowda highlights the pressing issue of unaffordable medical care for most people. “My primary objective is to ensure that every citizen, including the middle-income bracket, has access to quality healthcare. There is an urgent need to strengthen our public healthcare system,” he says.
Hailing from a modest, agriculture family in the village of Nidasale, Dr Gowda, 40, has come up the hard way, making it to the most revered medical profession. “The turning point in my life came during my mother’s battle with spinal tuberculosis and the struggle for quality medical treatment | excelled well in academics that paved my way into the prestigious Bengaluru Medical College from where I obtained MBBS degree, led by MS from Mysore Medical College,” Dr. Gowda explains.
With an urge to work for the people, he decided to take a plunge into politics, through this election. He is a resident of Basavanagudi and chose Bangalore South as his constituency.
“I am fighting this election without any money power or political backing. My manifesto speaks about the plans I have as an MP if I’m given a chance. Real changes in a democracy can be brought about with active public participation, a passionate and dedicated leadership and strong grass-root level institutions,” says Dr Gowda.
Dr Gowda has achieved excellence in minimal access surgery and is a gold medallist from World Laparoscopy Hospital. He has worked as Associate Professor of Surgery at KIMS and Bowring Hospital for over a decade and established free super-specialty clinics and medical camps in rural areas. He started HIMAS Hospital in Basavanagudi that offers affordable surgeries to the needy.
Dr. Harish Gowda, a leading Laparoscopic Surgeon is the Founder and Chief Surgeon of HIMAS Hospital and a resident of Basavanagudi, Dr Gowda earned his MBBS from the prestigious Bangalore Medical College and later pursued MS at Mysore Medical College. He has also served as an Associate Professor of Surgery at KIMS and Bowring Hospital. Today, he is a proud father of two and lives in Bengaluru with his wife Dr Likhitha, who is a well- known radiologist and Managing Director of HIMAS Hospital.
MANIFESTO:
QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
I am a doctor and I have seen the struggles of patients who cannot afford quality treatments. Here is what is needed to rehaul the health sector:
* A cashless, universal health insurance scheme which gives health coverage to all, with an income level cut-off that covers the middle class too.
* A comprehensive scheme that gives a face-lift to government hospitals, BBMP primary health centres, maternity homes and primary health centres in the constituency. These public medical centres will not be inferior to private hospitals in terms of infrastructure, facilities, doctors or treatment.
* Introduce free health check-up for senior citizens and women regularly.
UTTAMA SHIKSHANA NANNA HAKKU
In the west, the public schools are most preferred as their education level is top notch. In India, there is a scramble for the pricey private schools. Why can’t our government institutions have students who are the children of ministers, bureaucrats, software engineers or company CEOs? This may become a reality when the government schools are on par with private school standards.
* I aim to upgrade public schools across the constituency to private school standards and ensure equality to the poor.
* Conduct infrastructure and facilities audit of all government schools in the constituency.
* Identify CSR funds to enhance facilities that match private school standards.
* Introduce annual skill development teacher training by professional agencies
SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT
Today’s youth require creative, practical competencies and hands-on skills along with formal education
* I aim to introduce skill development courses keeping with the pace of challenging career options. Bring together industry players to collaborate with colleges in the constituency
* Tie up with private centres that provide standard vocational training to create more opportunities.
* Ensure employment to deserving students through campus placement tie-ups with companies.
SENIOR CITIZENS NEED INCLUSIVITY
We find elderly couples leading solitary lives with their children settled abroad or other places. Who do they turn to during an emergency? Here is what I propose to do.
* A 24/7 elders’ helpline where help is just a call away. Be it a medical emergency at night, or in need of medicines, need help with mobility, to accompany elders for a walk, stroll in the neighbourhood park, visit a temple nearby, the call centre will send personnel immediately.
BENGALURU SOUTH, A MODEL CONSTITUENCY
What does a good neighbourhood require?
* Well paved walkways where walkers can walk without having a fall due to chipped off blocks.
* Smooth roads without craters and potholes that can take care of our backbones.
* Traffic signals and zebra crossings where pedestrians are given utmost priority.
* Healthy lung spaces. Clean lakes free of encroachments and silt that can take in rainwater without chocking the neighbourhood. Bangalore South is blessed with beautiful parks and impetus will be given to create many more parks in the neighbourhood.
Finally, any policy implementation needs the bureaucracy. I will ensure a free hand given to officers and also oversee effective utilisation of government funds for all projects.
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