Victoria hospital renamed ; Karwar to get super specialty hospital
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has unveiled an ambitious healthcare expansion plan in the latest state budget, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announcing multiple initiatives aimed at strengthening medical services and infrastructure across the state.
One of the key announcements is the renaming of the historic Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru after socialist leader Shantaveri Gopala Gowda. The move is intended to honour the contributions of the veteran leader to Karnataka’s social and political movements.
The government has also proposed setting up super specialty hospitals in Karwar and Yadgir, each with an investment of ₹100 crore. These facilities are expected to provide advanced treatment services and reduce the need for patients in coastal and northern Karnataka to travel long distances for specialized care.
As part of the broader healthcare strategy, the state government has earmarked ₹900 crore for strengthening hospital infrastructure. District and taluk hospitals will receive modern equipment and facilities, including upgraded emergency wards, operation theatres and intensive care units.
The budget also focuses on addressing child malnutrition. Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres currently operating in 86 taluks will be expanded to the remaining 63 taluks to ensure comprehensive treatment and nutritional support for severely malnourished children.
Another major welfare measure is the decision to provide free insulin pens to children under 18 suffering from Type-1 diabetes, a move expected to significantly reduce treatment costs for families.
The government also plans to expand dialysis services across the state by increasing bed capacity in 50 centres, enabling over 1.35 lakh dialysis procedures annually. ₹20 crore has been allocated for this initiative.
In addition, the state will introduce home-based palliative care services for patients with chronic and terminal illnesses in collaboration with Pallium India.
On the medical education front, detailed project reports will be prepared for new government medical colleges in Vijayapura and Kolar. The bed strength at Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research will also be increased from 400 to 600.
The government further announced recruitment to fill 2,500 vacant posts in the health department, a step expected to improve patient care and hospital efficiency.
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