Dinesh Gundu Rao Photo Credit:
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has urged the Union government to give approval to set up a model All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) center in north Karnataka to address regional disparities in access to specialist services.
Virtually attending the 60th AIISH Council meeting chaired by Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Tuesday, Mr. Rao highlighted the burden on AIISH Mysuru and the difficulties faced by patients traveling from northern districts.
Mr. Rao urged the Center to give in-principle approval for setting up 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 to introduce three to six-month short-term training and diploma courses for medical personnel. These courses could be offered in academic collaboration with AIISH Mysuru through district hospitals and state medical college hospitals focusing on screening, early identification, speech and hearing assessment and auditory verbal therapy (AVT), he said.
The minister suggested setting up outreach centers through government medical colleges and selected district and taluk hospitals to facilitate screening, follow-up and therapeutic services. These centers would be linked to AIISH Mysuru and would also function as training centres.
He further sought technical support from AIISH to strengthen the cochlear implant program of the Karnataka Health Department, suggesting that the initiative be implemented on a 50:50 cost-sharing formula between the Center and the state.
Through NGOs
Mr. Rao also suggested setting up mother-child training centers at the district level with the support of NGOs in coordination with the Department of Empowerment of the Differently Handicapped and Senior Citizens. These centers could offer early intervention, AVT and speech therapy services, parent counseling and caregiver training using existing state and central schemes.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 20:56 IST
