Karnataka government has allocated Rs. 160 crore for health care modernization and support in the State Budget 2008 of the newly formed BJP government.
To begin with it has sanctioned Rs. 87 crore to upgrade primary health centres, community health centres, taluk and district hospitals. It will appoint 5,000 doctors, nurses, and paramedics staff for improving the services in the government hospitals in the rural and urban areas, stated Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa during his presentation of the State Budget 2008.
A scheme titled 'Tayi Bhagya' has been formulated including existing schemes like 'Madilu' and 'Prasuthi Aaraike' to provide safe maternity services in the government and private hospitals. A provision of Rs. 30 lakh will be made.
Plans are underway to start a new scheme called 'Arogya Kavacha' to provide emergency care and bring critical patients to the hospitals through a network of well equipped ambulances. The scheme will be implemented through public-private partnership. An amount of Rs. 10 lakh has been provided to start this on a pilot basis.
A general hospital will be set up in Indiranagar, a locality in Bangalore to meet the needs of the people located in the eastern part of the city. A sanction of Rs 8 crore is provided.
For the construction of emergency and trauma care ward in Victoria and Bowring hospitals in Bangalore, an amount of Rs. 25 crore has been earmarked.
In the area of medical education, 6 new medical colleges have been started last year. For the building and infrastructure, Rs. 120 crore is provided.
It is proposed to set up a new ayurveda college and a 100 bed ayurveda hospital in Shimoga.
For the development of KIMS hospital in Hubli, the government has allocated Rs. 36.5 crore which will help a large number of economically backward people to access for treatment in the north Karnataka region.