Press Release

Dr. Jayaprakash Kandige, Dr. Rathi Devi, Dr, Jerom Pinto

Mangalore  : Indian Medical Association (IMA) Mangalore Branch is pleased to announce that it shall be hosting Doctor’s Day Celebrations on Friday 2nd July 2010 at Dr. A.V. Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, Attavar.
Sri V. Ponnuraj, IAS, Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district will be the Chief Guest. Dr. Subramanyeshwara Rao, IPS, Superintendent of Police, DK District, who is himself a medical doctor by training, has kindly consented to be the Guest of Honour.  Dr. Mohandas Bhandary, President of IMA Mangalore Branch will preside over the function.
On the occasion, IMA Mangalore will felicitate three prominent members of the association on the basis of their dedication to the profession, service to IMA and service to society. The three nominees are: Dr. Jerome Pinto, Dr. Rathi Devi R. and Dr. Jayaprakash Khandige. The brief profiles of the three nominees are attached herewith.
The formal function will be preceded by a Panel Discussion on ‘Renal Transplantation’ by eminent Nephrologists and Urologists.

About Doctors Day
1st July is celebrated throughout India as Doctors Day in honour of the legendary Physician and Second Chief Minister of West Bengal, Dr. B.C. Roy. Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was born on July 1st 1882 and also died on the same day in 1962 at the ripe old age of 80. Dr. Roy was both a friend and doctor to Mahatma Gandhi. The nation honoured him with the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian award on February 4 1961.
Though Doctors Day is observed on 1st of July, IMA Mangalore has scheduled its celebrations for 2nd July due to non-availability of the date.

Doctors who will be honoured by IMA on the occasion of Doctor’s Day

Dr. Jerome Pinto:
Born on 18th September 1945, Dr. Jerome Pinto is a dermatologist by specialization presently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Skin and Venereal Disease, K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital, Derlakatte, Mangalore. He had formerly served in the same capacity at Father Muller’s Hospital and Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.
Especially known for his service in the field of Leprosy eradication, he has been serving as the Secretary of Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh since 2002. He has the credit of publishing numerous scientific papers, delivering lectures and presentations, moderating and participating in seminars, workshops, conferences and continuing medical education (CME) programmes.
He is enrolled as a ‘Fellow of the Academy’ of the Academy of General Education, Manipal,  and is the recipient of ‘Best Medical Officer’ of the District by District Leprosy Society (2004) and ‘Special Achievement Award’ for outstanding work in Leprosy by the Rotary Club of Mangalore. He is a past president of IMA Mangalore Branch (2004-2005).

Dr. Rathidevi R.:
Born on 7th November 1949, Dr. Rathidevi Ramachandra is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist by profession. She serves as Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. She is also associated with Government Lady Goschen Hospital as an honorary Medical Officer providing her services free of cost for the last 25 years.
She has published many scientific papers. She is a prolific writer and has authored many books in Kannada such as ‘Achchettha Mahile’. Her writings mainly concern subjects like women’s empowerment, AIDS awareness, Women’s diseases and illnesses etc.
She has been widely recognized for her community service and is the recipient of awards like JCC Young Person Award, Late Puttajji Deve Gowda Memorial Award, Mandya, Udupi District Rajyotsava Award, KMC Distinguished Alumni Award. She has been honoured by many organizations and societies too. She is often invited for interviews on TV and mass media for expert advice on subjects concerning her specialization.

Dr. Jayaprakash Khandige:
Born on 20th May 1946, Dr. Jayaprakash Khandige is a famous Ophthalmologist. He completed his MBBS in 1969 and DOMS in 1972 from Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore. He received FRCG at the All India IMA Conference at Tiruvananthapuram. Inspired by his father who practiced general medicine along with eye speciality, Dr. Jayaprakash Khandige too has been practicing General Medicine along with eye speciality for the last 40 years. He has conducted many Free Eye Testing Camps and Health Check Up Camps for Lions Club and many schools.
He is an authorised doctor for Central Government Employees, State Bank of India, Examiner for Life Insurance Corporation, Proficiency Badge Examiner for Bharath Scouts and First Aid Badge Examiner for St. John’s Ambulance Association. He was vice president of the South Kanara Cricket Association and was Company Doctor for the Shipping Corporation of India for ten years. He has also served as the Vice President of Family Doctors Association and Vice President of Indian Medical Association Mangalore Branch during 2004-2006.

About IMA Mangalore:
IMA Mangalore is one of the vibrant branches of IMA. IMA was founded in 1924 and the Mangalore branch was established in 1927, making it one of the oldest IMA branches in the country. Today it has its own building and is engaged in several activities for the individual development of members, development of the profession and service to the society at large.