Madikeri: Years after its creation, the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences in Madikeri, the district headquarters, received government permission to introduce the B.Sc. Nursing Course The course was a long-standing demand of the people of Kodagu, which did not have a medical institute until 2014, when the Medical College was announced.

Following the sanction for starting the much-requested B.Sc (Nursing), the Medical College began preparations for the admission of 100 students during the current academic year. As all 100 seats are under government quota, students must be admitted through the advice of the Karnataka Examinations Authority.

Construction of the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences building began in 2014 and was completed in 2016. At present, 750 college students are studying for the MBBS course and the district hospital, which has been attached to the Medical College, was recently upgraded.

The Dean of the Medical College, Dr Cariappa, said that with government permission for the B.Sc Nursing, classes will start from this very year. Pointing out that there are 100 places for the BSc in Nursing, he said it was a four and a half year course. The college has recruited both teaching and non-teaching faculties and classes are expected to start soon, he added.

Madikeri MP Appachu Ranjan said the government appealed last year to start the nursing course at the College of Medicine. The government has now granted permission and the course will begin this year. However, a meeting of medical college authorities and health ministry officials will be held soon to decide where the classes will be held, he added.

MP for Virajpet and former Assembly Speaker KG Bopaiah said the health minister was called upon to launch a B.Sc Nursing during his last visit to Kodagu. That aside, the Chief Minister was also called to start the course.

Now, in response to our call, the government has authorized the nursing course and the courses are expected to start soon, he said.