Karnataka government has set aside Rs.5,118 crore for health in addition to a total grant of Rs.2,004 crore for medical education in its state budget for 2017-18. The government is keen to spur healthcare sector with a slew of initiatives including new hospitals, tackling doctor shortage and increased incentive to healthcare workers.
Five super speciality hospitals will be established in Davanagere, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Vijayapura and Kolar at a cost of Rs.25 crore. To overcome the shortage of specialized doctors in government hospitals all its medical colleges will start DNB post graduate course. Yet another boost to manpower creation is providing free laptops to the students of the first year in medical colleges across the state. It will commence construction of 6 medical colleges in Chitradurga, Bagalkot, Haveri, Yadgir, Chikkaballapura and Chikmagalur.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who presented his 12th budget of Rs 1.86 lakh crore has given a boost to the government healthcare sector. The focus is also to increase ambulance services and blood transfusion units across the 30 districts.
In terms of improving the infrastructure, the government is investing a total of Rs.65 crore. This covers Rs.10 crore for upgrading the Wenlok hospital, Mangaluru. It has set aside Rs.35 crore for the construction of new Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology in Bengaluru. The Minto Ophthalmic Super Speciality Hospital to be upgraded at an estimated cost of Rs.10 crore. The setting up of Institute of Dermatology in the premises of Tuberculosis Hospital, Bengaluru, at an estimated cost of Rs.10 crore is also planned.
In addition, the government will also provide a 20-bed poly trauma centre and 10 bedded ICU, with ventilator proposed at Sanjay Gandhi Accident Trauma and Rehabilitation Centre in Bengaluru.
With a growing incidence of kidney failure in the state, dialysis centres will be established in 114 talukas. Nephro Urology Units will be opened in Kalaburagi and Mysuru at a cost of Rs.10 crore each.
Further, the government will upgrade the Indiranagar ESI hospital with super specialty departments. In terms of patient support, the government has enhanced the financial assistance to 25,000 HIV infected and affected children to Rs.1,000.
On the alternate medicine front, the government, will set up Integrated Ayush hospitals having 50 beds in Chitradurga and Chikmagalur at a cost of Rs.6 crore.
In order to ensure timely medical attention, one ambulance service will be provided for a radius of 10 to 15 km for 35,000 population. These services will be streamlined with all 1538 ambulances under two different departments. Blood Transfusion Units are proposed in 10 district hospitals.
Karnataka Knowledge Commission developed simulators for nursing training to help freshers be adept in critical, terminal and heart related illness. The government has earmarked Rs.5 crore to deploy such simulators across the State.
Specific to ophthalmology, Dr. Ravi, head, Medical Services, Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Bengalur, said, “We have only one regional Minto Eye Hospital, which is not sufficient. We need more good eye care infrastructure and training facilities to improve the service.”
Karnataka, medical education, budget 2017-18, Government, Health, Hospitals, Doctor, Healthcare, super speciality hospitals, Davanagere, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Vijayapura, Kolar, DNB, Chitradurga, Bagalkot, Haveri, Yadgir, Chikkaballapura, Chikmagalur.