INTRODUCTION
The department of General Medicine was established in J. N. Medical College, Belagavi in the year January 1966. It provides 24 hours care for inpatients and outpatients. Goal of the department is to provide evidence based treatment with thoughtful considerations of each patients need to foster wellness and healing. The medical specialty dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases. By definitation it is an all embracing discipline concerning itself with all aspects of pathology and all the organ-based specialties. The general medicine department is designed to provide basic and specialized procedure and corrective services to the entire family through education.
Dr. S.D. Shastri was the first Head of the Department from year 1966 to 1969. From year 1969 to 1971 it was guided and improved by Dr. Basavaraj Urs, who was also the Principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Belagavi.
Dr. S.G. Desai took over the department in year 1971 and under his guidance, the department developed till 1984. Dr. S.G. Desai was a dedicated teacher. Followed by Dr. H. B. Rajshekhar who headed the department from 1984 to 2001. He was a dedicated teacher and focused on clinical medicine and bedside skills, for which Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College was well recognized all over the world.
Dr. S.G. Desai & Dr. H.B. Rajshekhar both, were further nominated as Principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, both of them were strict disciplinarian. Their administration and passion for teaching has earned a special place in the department.
Dr. S.B. Kalagate was the Head of the Department from 2002 to 2008, Dr. V.A. Kothiwale from 2008 to 2014, Dr. Rekha S. Patil from 2014 to November 2018. From December 2018 to 2021 Dr. Arathi Darshan, at present, Dr. Rekha S. Patil is heading the Department of General Medicine.
The department has been home to several renowned Stalwarts in the field of Medicine Dr. S.G. Desai went on to be the Vice-Chancellor of Karnataka University, Dharwad. Dr. H. B. Rajshekhar went on to take the responsibility of the Principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, & then the reigns of KLE-USM college as the Director. Dr. V.A. Kothiwale was Registrar of KLE’S Academy of Higher Education and Research. Dr. Rekha S Patil was Dean faculty of Sciences.
Earlier the students received clinical training in Govt. District Hospital, Belgaum. The old KLES Hospital with 300 beds was started in 1986. The new KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & MRC, Belagavi with 1000 beds started functioning in 1996. Dr. Prabhakar Kore Charitable Hospital with 820 beds was started in 2004. Since 2004, clinical training to UG & PG students is provided in the KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, which reflect a perfect blend of service to the poor & corporate touch to the patient care in general and superspeciality services at basic and tertiary levels.
At present the Department has 7 units. A, B, C, D, E, F & G Units. The OPD is managed by consultants of respective units (Monday to Sunday) with 13 Professors, 02 Associate Professors, 07 Assistant Professors and 13 Senior Resident, 62 Junior Resident.
The Department is much sought after in the country due to high standards in academic & research, several staff and students have received awards & honors of national & International and regional level for their works. Postgraduate alumni students are in very reputed posts and successful doctors all over the world.