Chikkamagaluru: The vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), Dr BC Bhagwan, said India is developing as a global health hub, and Karnataka has become a destination for medical tourism and health.The VC was addressing the gathering after felicitating achievers and meritorious students at Vokkaligara Sangha in Koppa on Tuesday. He said RGUHS, which started in 1996, is one of the world’s biggest varsities in the health sector. It started with only 153 institutions, and today nearly 1,500 medical institutions come under the purview of the university. Today, the university has more than three lakh students with 14,000 teaching faculty, he said.Highlighting the importance of education and institutions, he said the Malnad region needs more health-related education institutions. Chikkamagaluru district has few institutions under the university. He called on the Vokkaligara Sangha to take the initiative to establish institutions. The initiative would be helpful for the next generation, he said.According to the VC, the average age of a humans has increased from 69 to 71 years. “We should live a good life with good health,” he said and advised practising yoga, good food, and a healthy lifestyle.According to him, 14% youngsters were becoming hypertensive. Of them, 6 to 8% were female. Many were hypertensive at the age of 18, due to lifestyle, food habits, and pollution playing a crucial role, he said. According to him, 20 to 30% of students were addicted to drugs, and Bengaluru is targeted. As per the survey, out of 2,000 students, 800 were addicted either to alcohol or drugs.SL Ashwath, co-founder of Creative Education Foundation, Karkala, Anudeep, a young farmer, KS Isiri Kowli, an MTech gold medallist, and BS Srinivas Rao, a chartered accountant, were honoured. MLA TD Rajegowda and the Sangha president Sahadev Balakrishna were present.
