Dr. B. S. Baliga is an eminent consultant pediatrician and neonatologist based in the coastal city of Mangalore, Karnataka, India. With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, he has seamlessly blended the roles of a clinician, medical educator, mentor, professional leader and community advocate.
An alumnus of Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore, Dr. Baliga earned his MBBS, MD, and DCH degrees with exceptional academic achievements, including several gold medals and accolades. His clinical practice, located at Manjushree Building, Kodialbail, Mangalore, is renowned for its expertise in pediatric care, encompassing neonatal health, preventive medicine, and comprehensive treatment for infants to adolescents. Dr. Baliga also provides inpatient care at empanelled nursing homes and tertiary care hospitals, ensuring comprehensive and accessible healthcare for his patients.
Dr. Baliga is celebrated not just for his decades of experience and clinical proficiency but also for his empathetic approach and ability to build strong, trusting relationships with his patients and their families.
03:00 PM to 08:00 PM
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Dr. Bantwal Shantharam Baliga was born on June 20, 1958, in the lush green hill station of Chikmagalur, located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. He completed his early schooling at Government Primary School in Basavanhalli, Chikmagalur, before continuing his education at St. Joseph’s Middle School and St. Joseph’s High School in Bangalore. He then pursued his pre-university education at St. Joseph’s Pre-University College in Bangalore. Dr. Baliga went on to study at the renowned Kasturba Medical College, affiliated with Mysore University at that time, where he earned his MBBS degree between 1976 and 1981.
During his time at Kasturba Medical College, Dr. Baliga excelled academically, receiving several prestigious awards and recognitions. He was awarded the Dr. Ramappa Gold Medal in Microbiology, the Dr. (Mrs.) Lalana Narayan Gold Medal in Surgery, the Dr. Armugam Gold Medal, and the Goramma Srikantiah Gorur Gold Medal as the Best Outgoing Student. Additionally, he received the Dr. Subba Rao Memorial Award and the P.K. Shantha Bai Memorial Award from the University of Mysore. Dr. Baliga was also honored as the first recipient of the Varwady Shankar Hegde and Hirebette Thimappa Hegde Memorial Award from Kasturba Medical College.
After completing his MBBS, Dr. Baliga pursued further specialization, earning a Diploma in Child Health (DCH) in 1984, followed by a Master of Medicine (MD) in Paediatrics in 1985, both from Kasturba Medical College under Mangalore University. His dedication to research was also evident when he was awarded a Senior Research Fellowship by the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1982.
Dr. Baliga’s professional career began in 1986 working as a Consultant Paediatrician at Fr. Muller Charitable Institutions in Mangaluru, where he served until September 1988. His clinical expertise and deep understanding of paediatrics led him to join the faculty at Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru, in November 1988. Dr. Baliga rose through the ranks and became the Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatrics in February 2009. His leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to medical education have left a lasting impact on both the college and the field of paediatrics. He retired in June 2018 but continues to serve as Professor Emeritus, sharing his wealth of experience and knowledge with the next generation of medical professionals.
Dr. B. S. Baliga has been a guiding force in advancing pediatrics, neonatology and medical education through his active involvement in several professional organizations at the national, state and regional level.
Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)
National Neonatology Forum (NNF)
Leadership of Professional Meets
Dr. B. S. Baliga has consistently shown a deep commitment to society, with a blend of compassion, dedication and effective action. His engagement with voluntary organizations has enhanced healthcare access, child welfare and community support systems in the region.
Child Adoption (1986–2001):
Dr. Baliga rendered free services to Nirmala Welfare Society, Ullal, Mangalore, an organization dedicated to the welfare of orphans in the region. He facilitated professional healthcare and legal adoption processes, enabling countless children to find loving homes.
Rehabilitation (1990):
As a founder member of Chetana Society for Disabled Children, Dr. Baliga played a key role in its formative years. It runs the Chetana Child Development Centre in Mangalore, offering specialized care and education for developmentally challenged children from underprivileged backgrounds.
Childline:
Dr. Baliga has been actively involved with Childline, serving as a Central Advisory Board member and resource person for the Mangalore unit. This NGO-supported organization has rescued and rehabilitated thousands of vulnerable children, including child labourers, abused children and missing children, over the past two decades.
Mangalore Medical Relief Society:
Formed in 1971 by a group of dedicated doctors, the Mangalore Medical Relief Society mobilizes private funding to optimize resources at government hospitals in Mangalore. Dr. Baliga served this society in various capacities, including Programme Director (1995–2003), treasurer and secretary, generously contributing his time and effort to reach the needy.
Dr. B. S. Baliga has been at the forefront of implementing the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to enhance pediatric care in government hospitals. His long-standing association with Lady Goschen Hospital and Wenlock Hospital, both major district government hospitals and teaching affiliates of Kasturba Medical College, has been central to his efforts.
During his tenure as Program Director (1995-2003) and later as Secretary of the Mangalore Medical Relief Society (MMRS), Dr. Baliga identified the need for external funding to address gaps in government healthcare budgets. Leveraging support from philanthropists, charitable trusts, corporate donors, and local businesses, he initiated several projects to improve healthcare infrastructure.
Key achievements under his leadership include the establishment of a High Dependency Unit at Wenlock Hospital and the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Lady Goschen Hospital in 1998. These efforts laid the foundation for the comprehensive development of pediatric care in the region, culminating in the creation of the state-of-the-art Regional Advanced Pediatric Care Centre (RAPCC)
Dr. Baliga's contributions have directly benefited over one lakh children over two decades by introducing advanced neonatal and pediatric care facilities at Lady Goschen and Wenlock Hospitals. His role in establishing and managing these facilities are one of the reasons why this region today enjoys much lower Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) than the national average.
At Lady Goschen Hospital, the NICU, inaugurated in 1998, was expanded into a modern facility in 2019. Spanning 22,000 square feet, it features 20 ventilator beds, neonatal surgery capabilities, and a Human Milk Bank. This facility serves over 1,500 neonates from underprivileged families annually
At Wenlock Hospital, critical care units were established in phases:
To address the growing demand for critical care among children, Dr. Baliga spearheaded the establishment of the RAPCC in 2007. This Rs. 12-crore project, supported by Rs. 6 crore in funding from Infosys Foundation, provides high-end neonatal and pediatric care to over 3,000 children annually. The RAPCC has become a lifeline for economically disadvantaged families from eight surrounding districts, offering free and advanced medical services.
Dr. Baliga extended his expertise statewide by facilitating the establishment of Special Newborn Care Units (SCNUs) in 23 district hospitals across Karnataka. This initiative, involving partnerships with seven medical colleges, added 240 neonatal beds to the public health system and trained medical personnel in neonatal care. These SCNUs have saved countless lives and continue to provide life-saving treatment to thousands of neonates monthly.
Dr. Baliga has played a pivotal role in controlling malaria in Mangalore since its outbreak in the early 1990s. He was instrumental in setting up the Malaria Control Cell in 1995 under the Mangalore City Corporation, supported by funding from Corporation Bank.
In recent years, Dr. Baliga collaborated with former Infosys executive Naren Koduvattat to develop customized Malaria Control Software. This innovative system enables real-time monitoring and management of malaria cases in the region. The program significantly reduced malaria incidence in Mangalore by over 90% within five years, earning the prestigious “Projects That Work” award at the TUFH conference in Ireland.
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Branding, Illustration
Dr. Baliga has been our trusted pediatrician for generations—I was fortunate to have been under his care as a child, and now, I turn to him for my own child’s health. His expertise, compassionate approach, and unwavering dedication to his patients make him one of the best pediatricians in Mangalore. His accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and invaluable medical advice have always given us peace of mind. I am truly grateful for the exceptional care he continues to provide.
Veerendra Prabhu
Connect with Dr. B. S. Baliga for the latest updates on his initiatives in pediatric care, medical education and public health.
