July 6: Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda today urged city doctors and medical institutions to help improve rural health care system in the country by spreading their services to the villages.

Inaugurating the 24th founder's day celebration of Jaslok hospital and Research Centre, Gowda said, ``The real India lies in our villages and the government alone cannot provide all medical health care facilities. Thus enterprising and willing individuals should come forward to help.

``While ultra-modern medical centres like Jaslok, which compare well with the best in the world, are available in the cities, qualified doctors do not want to practice in villages,'' he said. The former prime minister, who had undergone treatment at Jaslok hospital 15 years ago, also spoke of his ``wonderful experience of cooperative and friendly doctors and paramedical staff.'' Earlier, Dr P K Chakrabarti, Chief Executive Director of Jaslok, gave details about some of the hospital's latest facilities. He said that the hospital was the first in south east Asia to have a Gamma Camera for nuclear cardiology. ``A recently acquired Spiral CT scanner is the first such operational equipment in India. The revolutionary machine offers quicker and precise results which helps faster diagnosis.''

Jaslok Hospital, the result of philanthropist Lokoomal Chanrai's dreams, was inaugurated by former prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1973. It boasts of sophisticated therapeutic and diagnostic modalities and ``constantly upgrade its services,'' said Dr M G Deo, Director (Research).

It is the first hospital in Mumbai to acquire an all digital ultrasound machine offering transcranial colour doppler (studying blood flow inside an adult skull) and 3D colour power angiography imaging modalities. The hospital is also upgrading its radiation oncology department and will set up a new wing of oncology from October. ``Our aim now is to make it a pioneer in the preventive field,'' said G K Chanrai, managing trustee.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.