Health Minister U.T. Khader Unveils Digital Healthcare Roadmap and Slams BJP Leader Over Remark Against Rahul Gandhi

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Mangaluru : Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader announced a comprehensive plan to modernize the state’s public healthcare infrastructure through full digitization, Tele-ICU expansion, enhanced neonatal care, and integrated AYUSH services during a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru on Thursday. To build a robust digital healthcare ecosystem, high-speed broadband connectivity is being extended to all Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and taluk hospitals. Following a successful pilot across 40 hospitals in four districts, a paperless management system storing digital patient histories, lab results, and pharmacy records is being expanded to 183 government healthcare facilities, with plans to eventually connect private hospitals for seamless record access. To address specialist shortages and boost rural care, Tele-ICU units, Paediatric Emergency Care, and Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) are being set up at CHCs and taluk hospitals, supported by budget allocations of Rs 42 crore for digital infrastructure and Rs 30 crore for Tele-ICU setups.

Elaborating on healthcare and public wellness initiatives, Khader highlighted that future hospital infrastructure will integrate AYUSH facilities within the same complexes, following the successful Ullal model, to respect patient choice in treatment methods. On preventive health, he announced an upcoming official order mandating the service of boiled drinking water in government hospitals, hotels, and restaurants, while warning of strict legal action against establishments using harmful artificial food colorants or MSG (Ajinomoto). Recounting his recent official trip to Chicago for an international leadership recognition program, the minister shared details of his discussions with the Consul General of India regarding expanding international markets for Indian millets ahead of the upcoming Millet Conclave in Washington.

The press conference also took a strong political turn as Khader launched a sharp attack against a BJP leader for making derogatory remarks about Rahul Gandhi, calling the statement a insult to the culture and dignity of the coastal region. Defending the historic sacrifices of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for the nation’s unity, Khader remarked that the political stature of the critic was “not even equal to Rahul Gandhi’s little toe” and stated that rhetoric calling for the destruction of political rivals reflects an extremist mindset. Urging public representatives from Dakshina Kannada to uphold decorum and preserve the reputation of the region, he emphasized that inflammatory language has no place in a democratic polity.