KMC-RI ON THE CUSP OF CHANGE

Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI) is witnessing major changes in infrastructure and healthcare services to meet the growing needs of patients from across North Karnataka. A new Critical Care Block is nearing completion, while a government IVF centre is also being developed. KMCRI Director Dr Uday Bande spoke to News Trail about the institute’s expansion, improving patient care and plans to take specialised healthcare services to more people in the region.

News Trail: You have recently taken charge amidst several ongoing projects. How are things progressing at KMC-RI, and what is the current status of the new infrastructure? Dr. Uday Bande: Things are going quite well. Our new Critical Care Block is currently about 70% complete. Once it is fully operational, it will directly handle all emergency and accident cases, which will significantly streamline our trauma care.

News Trail: The upcoming government IVF center has generated a lot of hope for the region. Is the facility ready to open? Dr. Uday Bande: Yes, the facility is fully equipped and prepared. We have completed the civil work, in stalled all the necessary machines, and our specialists—including em- bryologists, IVF experts, and our internal doctors—are ready. We have also successfully completed the licensing inspection, which included submitting the mandatory fire safety compliance advisory report to the Deputy Director of Health. Right now, we are simply awaiting the final regulatory license to begin operations. It is being established in the MCH (Maternal and Child Hospital) building. This will be an incredible boon for families struggling with infertility, as it is the first major non-private setup of its kind in the state.

News Trail: Given the massive patient load at KMC-RI, the OPD wait times can be daunting. What measures are being taken to manage the daily rush? Dr. Uday Bande: We recognize the challenge, and the sheer volume of patients is massive. To manage this, we have restructured the billing counters and increased their numbers. Emergency cases are immediately fast-tracked through the casualty ward. However, routine OPD visits, especially in high-traffic departments still experience wait times due to the incredibly high footfall.

News Trail: Diagnostic wait times are another major concern. Are there any upgrades planned for the radiology department? Dr. Uday Bande: Absolutely. The state-level tender has been finalized, and we are acquiring one new MRI machine. This will be dedicated to the PMSSY block. Given our immense diagnostic workload, these machines are essential, and the entire radiology department is being properly established to support them.

News Trail: What is the status of cancer treatment facilities, particularly the LINAC (Linear Accelerator) machines? Dr. Uday Bande: I recently held discussions with the Director of the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology regarding this. Currently, we have one machine. We will soon be having an advanced LINAC machine.

News Trail: The medical college hosts 250 MBBS seats. How are the student accommodations being managed? Dr. Uday Bande: The Director of Medical Education and a team of specialists are currently inspecting the hostel accommodations. We want to ensure that everything is thoroughly evaluated, ready, and up to the required standard for our medical students.

News Trail: Are there any community outreach or educational initiatives happening outside the hospital walls? Dr. Uday Bande: We are very active in community education. We are planning educational sessions every second and fourth Saturday of the month. We bring in expert speakers to educate various community groups, including schools and staff. The primary focus of these sessions is diabetes awareness, treatments, and the necessary physical exercises to manage the condition.

News Trail: What are your immediate goals? Dr. Uday Bande: I will be retiring in January, so my time is limited. However, we are actively securing support through CSR initiatives and Rotary organizations. Through these channels, we recently secured a much-needed blood bank machine, and we are currently planning a cervical vaccination drive for students. My goal is to ensure these initiatives are firmly on track before I leave.