Our History

Indian Medical Association is the only voluntary organization of Doctors of Modern Medicine, which looks after the interest of doctors as well as the well being of the community at large , It was established in 1928 with the following Objectives:

• To promote and advance medical and allied sciences in all their different branches
• To promote the improvement of public health and medical education in India
• To maintain the honor and dignity and to uphold the interest of the medical profession
• To promote co-operation amongst the members of the Association
• To work for the abolition of compartmentalize in medical education, medical services and registration in the country and to achieve equality among all members of the profession.

Today, I.M.A. is a well established organization with it's Headquarters at Delhi , Branches in 31 States and Union Territories, more than 1700 active local branches spread all over the country,  With over 2,15,000 doctors as its members.

The Dakshina Kannada branch of Indian Medical Association came into existence on 28th June. 1930 under the President ship of Late. Lt.Col. Dr D G Rai and Secretaryship of Dr.K R Kini. it was then called as South Canara District Medical Association with a membership of 20 doctors. Our association was officially affiliated to Indian Medical Association in the year 1945.

Under the Presidentship of doyen of yester years .Dr. Major N M Mehta, Dr. Iswaraiah, Dr. M Shiva Rao, Dr. L P Fernandes, Capt K K Nambiyar,  Dr. Vittal Shetty,Maj.W.E. Mascarenas, Dr. K R Kini,Dr. C P Kamath Dr. U P Mallya, Dr. AF Coelho,Dr.M V Shetty, Dr.Nagappa Alva, Dr.B R Hegde,     Dr.V R Bhat, Dr. M D Adappa , Dr. M P Pai to name a few, made our organisation great. Late Dr. K R Kini has immensely contributed being the  secretary cum treasures for over a period of 12 years in the initial years of the Association.

However not to forget the contributions of  existing past presidents Like Dr.K R Shetty, Dr,Bhasker Shetty, Dr,Devadiga and many others.   Their sole object was to keep up the high ethical standards in Medical practice and also to create a brotherly feeling amongst the fellow professionals   Though initially the members were those in private practice and few from Government service from the erstwhile united district of South Kanara. However, as the membership increased in each taluks and suburbs the members felt having a branch of their own, thus came up in Sullia, Puttur,Bantwal, Udupi, Karkala , Kundapur IMA branches, and many more.

Following that  the IMA DK branch was mainly consist of members from Mangalore , hence It was renamed IMA Mangaluru in 2009. The jurisdiction for IMA Mangaluru was restricted to Mangaluru area I am happy to say that ours is the 2nd biggest IMA branch in Karnataka state. Our branch has highest number of academicians.They held several academic positions , couple of them are Pro chancellors, over half a dozen Vice chancellors / Pro Vice chancellors, more than a dozen of them Deans Medical colleges .Our members were also held the post of Mayorship and ministership , Our were honored with National and State awards like Padma Bhushan , Rajyotsava award, Dr .B C Roy Awards etc.

Our members were also elected as National, International Presidents in their specialties and good number of them received lifetime achievements award in their chosen field specialties. It simply means Our members are multitalented and multifaceted personalities thus got Laurels to themselves and to IMA Mangaluru . May their tribe increase. IMA Mangaluru branch was actively involved in many community Heath care activities and are serving the needy and sick people of Dakshina Kannada in general and Mangalore in particular. In International service organisation our past presidents held post of Governorships.
Our Members contribution to the  health care is enormous, Member have actively participated in several hundred medical camps and rendered Yeoman service in the field of medical care for the last 88 years and still continuing. The IMA members are also actively responded to the needs of fellow members and to the professions whenever there is a crisis.

IMA Charitable trust was formed in 1994 and registered. The sole objective was to render charitable work through a permanent premises. We have hosted over 6 state conferences over the years and savings from these conferences acted as a seed money to construct of own premises . The present IMA house building costing over 2 crores was possible by the generous contribution from the philanthropist and generous donations from our own members. I am happy to say the untiring efforts of Dr. Bhasker Shetty and others in getting a permanent place for our Association and putting up the present building IMA house. Today we are generating revenue from the building and same is aptly used for the charitable work by the IMA Mangalore branch.
Dear Fellow members It is time for us to do our mite for improving the doctor-patient and doctor-public relationship. Today both of them are at stake. Let us all rise above board and build the image of our profession ,establish confidence in our patients and show the professionalism in our acts and deeds.

Long Live IMA