Dr. C. Rajesh Ballal installed as new IMA President

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 8, 2013: Dr. C. Rajesh Ballal was installed as the new President of Mangalore Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA) for the year 2013-14 at a formal ceremony held on Wednesday 30th October, 2013 at Dr. A. V. Rao Conference Hall, IMA House, Attavar, Mangalore.

The new team headed by Dr. C. Rajesh Ballal was installed by Prof. Dr. K. R. Shetty, Senior Neurologist who was the Guest of Honour and Installation Officer.  Prof. Dr. S. Ramananda Shetty, Vice Chancellor of Nitte University was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

The new IMA President Dr. C. Rajesh Ballal is a Professor at Department of General Surgery, KS Hegde Medical Academy (KSHEMA), Derlakatte, Mangalore. He has served as the Head of the Department for a period of four years. He has worked at KMC Mangalore earlier, for a period of 13 years. His special interest is laparoscopic surgery.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. S. Ramananda Shetty felicitated the new and old office bearers. Observing that lot of reforms are need to remove anomalies’ and balance the system, he said: “Over a thousand years ago, we had Nalanda University, which could accommodate 10,000 students from all over the world and they had 2000 teachers. So the teacher-student ratio was 1:5. In contrast today we cram the classrooms with students. 70% of Indian population is rural and only 30% is urban, yet more than 70% of the doctors and medical facilities are concentrated in urban areas and only 30% is in rural areas.”

 

 

In his address Dr. K.R. Shetty recalled old memories of his association with IMA Mangaluru Branch and how he was proud to be part of the team that struggled to establish its own building, the IMA House at Attavar. “Today health care is certainly far advanced and people enjoy better treatment, but the downside is that doctors’ image has taken a beating. Hence deep introspection is required to remedy the situation,’ he advised.

In his first address as President Dr. C. Rajesh Ballal thanked all those who had helped him and assured the gathering that he would continue the good work done by the previous team. He urged the members present to join hands and strengthen the organization.

Office Bearers for the year 2013-2014
·President-Dr C. Rajesh Ballal
·1st Vice President-Dr Anand Bangera                 
·2nd Vice President-Dr Amritha Bhandary
·Hon. Secretary-Dr Animesh Jain
·Treasurer-Dr Prathvi Shetty
·President Elect (2014-15)-Dr G.K. Bhat Sankabithilu
·Joint Secretary-Dr Veena Bhagwan
·Editor-Dr B. Devadas Rai
· Historian-Dr K.V. Devadiga
·President, IMA Trust-Dr Bhaskar Shetty

The programme began with IMA Prayer rendered by Dr. G. K. Bhat Sankabithilu. This was followed by Secretary’s Report for the past year by the outgoing secretary Dr Nithish Bhandary. Outgoing president, Dr. Manjunath Shenoy M. welcomed the gathering and recapitulated the year gone by. ‘Medilore’ News bulletin of IMA Mangaluru Branch edited by Dr B. Devadas Rai was released on the occasion. Dr. Sandeep and Dr. Chakrapani introduced the dignitaries. Dr. Rashmi Kundapur was the Master of Ceremonies.

SR Diagnostics Ideal and Auto Matrix, Mangalore were the sponsors for the programme.