He was speaking at the launch event of the “Equality Pride” marathon for the LGBTQ community jointly organised Iravi Foundation and Namma Bengaluru.

“This marathon exclusively for LGBT community with a view to create awareness in the society is a laudable step,” Dinesh Gundu Rao added.

The third sex community are natural-born whereas LGBT community have chosen their sexual preference on their own. There are many laws in their favour even as the Apex Court too has given many rulings in their favour.

“But still the society, even though it has developed and progressed, has, however, developed a negative attitude towards this LGBT community. This needs to be corrected and this marginalized community should be brought to the mainstream,” the Health Minister emphasized.

The family members do not accept the LGBT community and do not allow them to stay with them. This community face mental and physical torture. They did not have courage to say that they are LGBT community. “The society should not discard them just because they want to live on their terms,” Dinesh Gundu Rao said.

He complimented Iravi Foundation and other NGOs that are working for LGBT community and said that the state government will provide all necessary support to the proposed massive pride rally slated to be held in November.

Vijay Mary, Founder of Iravi Foundation; CEO Zehra Fathima, Dr Masood Fouzdaar, former Chairman of Minority Development Corporation, Dr John Paul, the Head of the Medical Services of Sparsh Hospital, Dr Somashekar, the Head of NBSS medical services, Dr G. Raghuram, Head of Mahaveer ILLAM, MD of Confido Multi Speciality Hospital, Shruthi H. R. Congress leader Neelu Syed, R. Yukti, champion of LGBT community and Kausar Salma of Iryvi Foundation took part in the function.

The POC with its comprehensive and specialised medical services ensures accurate diagnosis, real-time insights, cancer risk assessment, treatment protocol and continuum of care, thus providing cutting-edge services in oncology care not seen in India earlier. The AI-POC is designed to be patient-centric, in the most personalized manner. It identifies eligible patients for targeted therapy and immunotherapy, as part of the diagnosis and treatment planning. With the help of conversational AI, it educates the patients and family on diagnosis, treatment FAQs and connections to support groups.

The facility was inaugurated by Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka in the presence of MsSuneeta Reddy, Managing Director at Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, Apollo Cancer Centre (ACC), and DrVishwanath S, Senior Consultant, ACC, Bangalore.

Speaking at the inauguration, Mr Dinesh Gundu Rao, State Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Karnataka, said, “As we inaugurate India’s first AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre at Apollo Cancer Centres, Bengaluru, I am honoured to witness a ground breaking convergence of innovation and healthcare. This pioneering initiative not only represents a monumental leap in medical technology but it also symbolises hope and progress for patients and caregivers. Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to personalised oncology care through AI is a beacon of compassion and advancement, ensuring a brighter future for those battling cancer.”

Ms. Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said, “”The launch of AI Precision Oncology Centre marks a significant stride in redefining cancer care. This transformative initiative is a testament to our unwavering commitment to personalized medicine and technological innovation. The Precision Oncology Centre along with ourmultispecialty hospitals in Karnataka reflect our dedication to providing patients with the most advanced, tailored treatments, underscoring Apollo Hospitals’ relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.”

Dr Vijay Agarwal, Lead & Senior Consultant – Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru, said, “The Centre will support new patient identification through auto-alerts to operational teams that identify eligible patients for PoCs. Patient SOS auto-alerts to operational teams on deteriorating patient outcomes for intervention and clinical escalation form another key feature.”

DrVishwanath S, Senior Consultant, Medical Oncology, ACC, Bengaluru,added, “Clinically, it helps in care pathway compliance by monitoring adherence to standard care pathways. Also for patient management based on genomic, clinical, and pathological profiles. Clinical alerts and recommendations for diagnostic tests, enrollment for Value Based Care (VBC) & other patient benefit programs are some of the uses. Patient  drop-off and Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) alerts for timely interventions are among the other benefits.”

Apollo Hospitals’ commitment to innovation and excellence is embodied in the unveiling of the AI-driven Precision Oncology Centre. The Precision Oncology Centre embodies our dedication to revolutionizing oncology care through personalized, data-driven solutions, reflecting Apollo Hospitals’ unwavering pursuit of excellence in healthcare delivery.

Aster Whitefield will be Aster’s 3d multi-specialty hospital in Bengaluru and overall 19th hospital in India.The hospital was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Shri. Dinesh Gundu Rao, Hon’ble Minister for Healthand Family Welfare and Guest of Honour Shri U. T. Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly; Shri. Sharan prakash R Patil, Hon’ble Minister for Medical Education Government of Karnataka in the presence of Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare.

Other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion included:; Shri P. C. Mohan, Member of the LokSabha; Smt. Manjula Limbavali, Wife of Arvind Limbavali, Member of Legislative Assembly along with representatives from Aster DM Healthcare that is: Dr. Nitish Shetty, CEO, Aster DM Healthcare India;Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical &Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist; and Mr. Ramesh Kumar, aCEO, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru cluster.

The Aster Whitefield Multispecialty Hospital will be India’s first centre to offer Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) for precision treatment of Cancer. Other advanced technologies the hospital will offer include Hybrid Biplane Cath lab, 3D Mammogram, Digital PET CT, advanced LINAC,HIPEC/PIPEC Procedures, Full Room Digital Radiography and a Scalp Cooling System to prevent hair loss during chemotherapy. The hospital will also feature the 4th generation Da Vinci Robot for advanced surgeries in Oncology and Urology along with a state-of-the-art OT complex with 16Operating Theatres equipped with high-end medical equipments.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Aster Whitefield Hospital, Dr. Azad Moopen, Founder Chairman and Managing Director, Aster DM Healthcare said, “We are proud to announce our 3rd state-of-theart hospital in Bengaluru and 19th hospital in India. The new hospital is in line with the group’s missionand commitment to our India business and growth plans to deliver seamless care by making health care accessible and affordable for our patients in India. Aster Whitefield exemplifies our dedication to delivering exceptional healthcare services to the burgeoning population of Whitefield.

Our focus on specialties such as oncology, neurosciences and women & childcare reflects our dedication to addressing critical healthcare needs in the region. The 506-bed hospital will bring advanced medical at echnologies and expert care to the residents of Whitefield, addressing their diverse healthcare needs under one roof. With the Aster Whitefield launch, we reaffirm our commitment to India and will continue to deliver quality healthcare to our patients in India.”

Dr. Nitish Shetty, Group Chief Executive Officer, Aster DM Healthcare, India, added, “Aster Whitefield sets new benchmarks in healthcare excellence. We are dedicated to offering unparalleled services,integrating expertise with empathy, and ensuring our patients receive the best possible care. Driven by the increasing demand for high-tech healthcare services Aster Whitefield aims to provide world class medical care, making it the go-to destination for patients in need of specialized treatments. At Aster, we shall also work hard to stay ahead of the times to be among the firsts in the world to bring new, evidence-based, approved therapies and technology to our patients.”

Prof. Dr. Somashekhar S P, Chairman – Medical Advisory Board, Aster DM Healthcare – GCC & India,Global Director – Aster International Institute of Oncology – GCC & India, Lead Consultant – Surgical& Gynaecological Oncology & Robotic Surgeon, HIPEC & PIPAC Super-specialist said, “Today, as we unveil Aster Whitefield, we’re ushering in a new era of healthcare excellence. To provide the best of care for our Cancer patients, our multidisciplinary team at the Aster Institute of Oncology will integrate all clinical services including Surgical oncology, Medical oncology, Radiation oncology.

Nuclear medicine therapy and Palliative oncology as part of the Disease Management Group (DMG) providing comprehensive prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and palliative end-of-lifecare services under one roof. With advanced medical technologies like Intra Operative Electron Radiation Therapy (IOERT) and the 4th Generation Da Vinci Robot, we are well-equipped to deliver precise and effective treatments. Our aim is to provide high quality international standard treatment at affordable cost with compassion and humane touch and be a one-stop solution to both diagnostics and therapeutic treatment – all under one roof.”

Beyond medical excellence, Aster Whitefield also offers a range of facilities for patients and their families, ensuring their comfort and well-being. As a tertiary multi-specialty hospital, Aster White fieldwill provide a holistic healthcare experience to patients as well as their caregivers.

ಅವರು ಇಂದು ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಇಲಾಖೆವತಿಯಿಂದ ಸರ್.ಸಿ.ವಿ ರಾಮನ್ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹಮ್ಮಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದ ಮಾಡ್ಯುಲರ್ ಶಸ್ತ್ರ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸಾ ಕೊಠಡಿ, ಜೆರಿಯಾಟ್ರಿಕ್ ವಾರ್ಡ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಪ್ಯಾಲಿಯೋಟಿವ್ ವಾರ್ಡ್‍ಗಳ ಉದ್ಘಾಟನೆ ನೇರವೇರಿಸಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ ಅವರು, ಮಾಡ್ಯುಲರ್ ಶಸ್ತ್ರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಯಿಂದ ಅನೇಕ ಶಸ್ತ್ರಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಲು ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗಲಿದೆ ಎಂದರು.

ತುರ್ತು ಪ್ರಕರಣಗಳ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ರಿಟಿಕಲ್ ಕೇರ್‍ನ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯಿದ್ದು, ಸುಮಾರು 43 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ 100 ಬೆಡ್‍ನ ಕ್ರಿಟಿಕಲ್ ಕೇರ್, 1 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ. ವೆಚ್ಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಬ್ಲಿಕ್ ಹೆಲ್ತ್ ಲ್ಯಾಬ್ ಹಾಗೂ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಸೌಕರ್ಯ ಕಲ್ಪಿಸಲು ಸುಮಾರು 10 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳ ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆ ಇದೆ ಎಂದು ಅಂದಾಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದ್ದು ಇದನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸಲು ಸಹ ತೀರ್ಮಾನಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂದರು.

ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸೇವೆ ಬಹಳ ಪ್ರಮುಖವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕರಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಸೇವೆ ಒದಗಿಸುವುದು ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಮೂಲಭೂತ ಕರ್ತವ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ. ವೈದ್ಯಕೀಯ ಸೇವೆ ಪವಿತ್ರವಾಗಿದ್ದು, ವೈದ್ಯರು ಬರುವ ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ನೀಡಬೇಕು ಎಂದರು.

ಈ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ವೀಕ್ಷಣೆ, ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಣೆ, ರೋಗಿಗಳಿಗೆ ನೀಡುತ್ತಿರುವ ಚಿಕಿತ್ಸೆ ಕುರಿತು ಪರಿಶೀಲನೆ ನಡೆಸಲು ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ ಕೊನೆಯ ವಾರ ಅಥವಾ ನವೆಂಬರ್ ಮೊದಲ ವಾರದಲ್ಲಿ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು. ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿದ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಗತಿ ಪರಿಶೀಲನಾ ಸಭೆ ನಡೆಸಲಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದರು.

ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಇಲಾಖೆಯ ಆಯುಕ್ತರಾದ ಡಿ.ರಂದೀಪ್, ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾದ ಡಾ: ಬಿ.ಎಸ್. ಪುಷ್ಪಲತಾ, ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣ ಸೇವೆಗಳ ನಿರ್ದೇಶಕರಾದ ಡಾ: ಎಂ.ಇಂದುಮತಿ, ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ನಗರ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಆರೋಗ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಕುಟುಂಬ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಾಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಾದ ಡಾ:ರವೀಂದ್ರನಾಥ ಎಂ.ಮೇಟಿ, ಮಾಜಿ ಕಾರ್ಪೊರೇಟರ್ ಆನಂದಕುಮಾರ್, ಸರ್.ಸಿ.ವಿ.ರಾಮನ್ ಸಾರ್ವಜನಿಕ ಆಸ್ಪತ್ರೆಯ ವೈದ್ಯರು ಹಾಗೂ ಸಿಬ್ಬಂದಿ ವರ್ಗದವರು ಉಪಸ್ಥಿತರಿದ್ದರು.