Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes today advocated more attractive salaries to doctors in India. He said Indian doctors are migrating to US and other foreign countries as they get less salary and due to poor service conditions here.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 3rd Karnataka Government ESI Medical Officers Association Conference (ESICON) at the Platinum Jubilee Hall in JK Grounds here this morning. He said that the Union Government had taken serious note of migration of doctors to foreign countries. "We can lure them back only if we give them attractive salary and provide hi-tech facilities," he added. He promised to discuss the issue with States.

Referring to the lack of qualified doctors in ESI hospitals, Oscar Fernandes said that there should be exclusive Medical Colleges to train the ESI doctors as ESI hospitals were to treat workers in organised and unorganised sectors. Assuring that he would discuss the issue with State Governments, he promised adequate funds from the Centre for such medical colleges. Dr. K.S. Palanetra, President, ESI Medical Officers Association, Mysore Chapter, welcomed. Dr. B.L. Sridhar, Principal Secretary, Department of Labour, Dr. Rahimunnisa, Director, ESI Medical Services, Dr. D.O. Gangadharaswamy, Dy. Director, Dr. B.R. Karishetty, Commissioner, ESI Corporation, Dr. P.T. Chandrahas, President, State Association, Dr. R.L. Chilakawad, Chairman, Organising Committee, Dr. B.S. Shivanand, Organising Secretary and Dr. J.S. Muninanjappa were on the dais.

There were hardly 150 delegates during the function as the inaugural ceremony was advanced by three hours. The Minister, who was scheduled to inaugurate the conference at 11 am, fulfilled the engagement at 8 am as he was to reach Pune by noon. His wife Blossom also accompanied him.

To prevent and eradicate the dreaded disease Polio, the Pulse Polio campaign in Mysore District began today at 9 am in 1580 centres. Out of them 300 centres are in Mysore city and the other 1280 are located at several places in the rural areas of the district. Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappagowda inaugurated the campaign by administering Polio drops to a baby at the Primary Health Centre at Kyathamarahanahalli.

District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Raju, Taluk Health Officer Dr. Prasad, ZP President Latha Siddashetty, CEO M.K. Kempegowda, ZP Health Standing Committee President Gowramma Somashekar, Joint Director of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Usha Vashankar were present.
Speaking to Star of Mysore, Dr. Raju said that today's campaign plans to immunise 30,5,005 children in the district and 7,470 members from nursing colleges, Anganawadi centres and other departments and volunteers from NGOs are engaged in the programme.

Polio centre are opened at all the schools, Government Colleges, anganawadi centres, Health Centres and hospitals with five volunteers at each centre. Apart from these 24 Traffic Groups, each with two volunteers are stationed at bus stands, Railway Station and junctions. In all, 11 mobile Polio units are morning around the district to administer the drops to children wherever available.

A centre has been opened at RBI Colony for the first time and at Infosys campus, where a large number of construction workers' with their families live, said Dr. Raju