Dinesh Gundu Rao seeks nod for AIISH-model centre in north Karnataka

Karnataka’s Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has urged the Union government to grant approval for setting up an All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH)-model centre in north Karnataka to address regional disparities in access to specialised services.

Participating virtually in the 60th Council meeting of AIISH chaired by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday, Mr. Rao highlighted the burden on AIISH Mysuru and the difficulties faced by patients travelling from the northern districts.

Mr. Rao urged the Centre to grant in-principle approval for establishing an AIISH-type institution in north Karnataka. The State would provide land and basic infrastructure, while support from the Union government would be required for skilled human resources and technical components, he said.

Short-term courses 

Mr. Rao sought approval for introducing three- to six-month short-term training and diploma courses for in-service healthcare staff. These courses could be offered in academic collaboration with AIISH Mysuru through district hospitals and government medical college hospitals, with a focus on screening, early identification, speech and hearing assessment, and Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT), he said.

The Minister proposed establishing outreach centres through government medical colleges and select district and taluk hospitals to facilitate screening, follow-up and therapeutic services. These centres would be linked to AIISH Mysuru and would also function as training hubs.

He further sought technical support from AIISH to strengthen Karnataka Health Department’s cochlear implant programme, suggesting that the initiative be implemented under a 50:50 cost-sharing formula between the Centre and the State.

Through NGOs

Mr. Rao also proposed setting up mother-and-child training centres at the district level with NGO support, in coordination with the Department for the Empowerment of Differently-Abled and Senior Citizens. These centres could offer early intervention, AVT and speech therapy services, parental counselling, and caregiver training using existing State and Central schemes.