Concerned over the alarming number of accidents during the last some years, the Karnataka government has decided to set up 44 trauma centres across the state, especially along the national highways and state highways. The government has already allocated Rs 46.9 crore for setting up these centres.

As there has been a spurt in the number of accidents in the state during the last some years, the government is focusing on providing immediate treatment to the injured people in road accidents. According to figures available with the state government, the year 2006 witnessed 792 fatal cases, 36235 non-fatal cases, 7973 serious cases and 60940 non-serious injured cases in the state, most of them in the national highways and state highways.

Karnataka Health Minister R Ashok said, that the government has already released Rs 46.9 crore for setting these trauma centres. It has sought more funds for developing these centres. Around Rs.25 lakh will be spent on the physical structure of each centre. Each centre will be equipped with paramedical staff, an orthopedic surgeon and an ambulance. The government has already placed orders for 50 ambulances.
Locations identified for setting up the trauma centres are Anekal, Hoskote, Kanakapura, Bharamasagar, Sirigere, Channagiri, Harihar, Bangarpet, Chickaballapur, Chintamani, Bhadravathi, Ainur, Tiptur, Kunigal, Sira, Badami, Ilkal, Naganur, Kongawad, and Nodagundi. Presently, the Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Accident Relief and Rehabilitation is the only major centre where accident victims are treated.

Meanwhile, with a view to provide immediate and quality healthcare to the people of the state, the government has decided to utilize at least 65 per cent of the allocated fund for modernization of the healthcare sector. This year's budget had earmarked Rs 318 crore for the health sector.

The government intends to release grants for the maintenance of hospitals annually. Under the action plan, for the next five years the 1,995 primary healthcares centres would receive Rs 75,000 each, taluka hospitals will get Rs 2 lakh each and district hospitals will get Rs 5 lakh each.

In the area of healthcare infrastructure, the government has issued appointment orders to 250 doctors to be posted in the 1,745 primary healthcare centres in the state. Further, the government is also proposed to appoint 485 doctors on contract. In addition, efforts are on to recruit 2,807 paramedical staff.

With regard to the Madilu Scheme for bringing down the infant mortality rate announced in the 2007-08 budget where a budget of Rs 5 crore was earmarked, the health minister stated that a three-member committee headed by Dr H Sudarshan had been constituted for suggesting measures to implement the scheme. The other two members of the scheme are Dr A Kamini Rao and Dr Nagabushan. Under the scheme, the government would provide a kit consisting of a mosquito net, baby oil, baby powder, medicines, bed sheets and a napkin free of cost to mothers belonging to below poverty line families.