New Delhi  : Karnataka Health Minister Dr.K.Sudhakar met Union Ministers in Delhi seeking centre’s support for various projects in the state. Dr.K.Sudhakar who is on a three day visit to New Delhi met Union Minister for Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Health Minister Dr.Harshvardhan and Union Railways, Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal on Tuesday.

Dr.Sudhakar who is also the in-charge minister of Chikkaballapur district in the Old Mysore region of Karnataka, requested Shekhawat to accord national project status to Yettinahole project, a mega drinking water project which aims to provide drinking water to more than 1.25 crore people to build lives in Chiklaballapur, Kolar, Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru and other drought-prone districts in the southern Karnataka. Dr.Sudhakar also sought a special project through convergence of Jal Shakthi, MNREGA and 15th finance to declare a special package for desilting of lakes in the 3 districts which are dependent on rainwater for irrigation and drinking water in the absence of any perennial source of water. He also appealed to Union Minister to explore extending Krishna Water river from neighboruing Andhra Pradesh which has already reached Ananthapur, to bordering districts in Karnataka as well. He said that state govt’s and his vision is to make tap water available in every household in every village by 2024.

During his meeting with Dr.Harshvardhan Karnataka Health Minister requested to grant approval and funds for establishing regional centres of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in other parts of the state. He also sought expediting release of funds for new medical colleges being established under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and also support for setting up Allied Sciences Institute in the state. Dr.Sudhakar also appealed to further increase supply of 1.5 crore vaccines per month to meet the growing demand in the state which will help planning and micro management. The Minister also requested support for establishing regional sub centres of NIMHANS and Kidwai Institute of Oncology in 4 different parts across Karnataka to reduce the workload and stress on existing main centres in Bengaluru. The minister stressed upon the deemed medical colleges which are not providing Govt quota seats currently and asked the union government to intervene.

Union Health Minister Dr.Harshvardhan and Niti Ayog member Dr.V.K.Paul applauded the Karnataka’s model PHC upgradation project. Minister Sudhakar sought financial assitamce for upgrading 250 PHCs per year under NHM as state govt is upgrading 250 PHCs. This would be model project for other states to follow. Dr Sudhakar also Proposed to start Allied Health Sciences Institute and Nursing sciences institute in Chikkaballapur. The Minister gave a detailed briefing on 3rd wave preparedness – Bed and oxygen augmentation etc. He requested for Genome sequencing results to be given early. He also discussed regarding increased LMO procurement.

Given its close proximity to Bengaluru International Airport and National Highway, Dr.Sudhakar sought support of Union Industries and Commerce Minister Piyish Goyal to develop Chikkaballapura as an industrial hub. He also requested Piyush Goyal, who is also the Railway Minister to extend Bengaluru Suburban Rail and Metro to Chikkaballapura which is about 60 kms from Bengaluru.

Dr.Sudhakar also met Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and requested expedition of various on going works in NH 234 and four laning of road connecting NH7 and Nandi Hills, a popular tourist spot near Bemgaluru.

Dr.Sudhakar who is a doctor himself earlier met Dr.V.K.Paul, member of Niti Ayog and discussed various matters pertaining to public health policies and panic management. Minister also discussed about expectancy of 3rd wave and preparedness strategy. Dr.Paul praised Karnataka’s model PHC concept. Dr.Sudhakar Appealed to Niti ayog to advise on merging Medical education and Health across the country as integration is key for better outcome. The Minister also sought Niti ayog’s opinion on Tobacco restrictions and Gutka ban in the state. He spoke about bringing medical colleges to districts which do not have medical colleges under PPP model.

Senior officials of Karnataka Health Department accompanies Dr.Sudhakar.