Karnataka Govt Unveils 3-Year Plan to Strengthen Advanced Healthcare Access

The Karnataka government has declared a grand three-year program to revamp the state's healthcare network by setting up super-specialty hospitals, trauma centres, and cancer treatment units in all 31 districts of the state. This initiative was introduced with the 2025-26 state budget when Rs. 17,473 crore, 4 percent of the state budget, was allocated for the health department.

Among the pre-budget announcements, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had launched the Rs. 873-crore Kalyana Karnataka Comprehensive Health Scheme for improved healthcare services in backward districts. Now investing Rs. 1,182 crore, the government is fast-tracking efforts to construct 50-bed Critical Care Blocks in each district and a 100-bed emergency block in Bengaluru.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil said that the government is determined to decentralize access to life-saving services like cardiac, cancer, and trauma care through the hub-and-spoke model that connects taluks to city super-specialty hospitals. The intention was to shorten travel time for rural patients and relieve pressure on city hospitals.

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Ground has already been broken. Sixteen district chemotherapy centers have been put into service, and statewide coverage should be achieved by mid-2026. Existing facilities such as the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology are also to be expanded by the state, and new branches are being opened in Kalaburagi and Hubballi.

"By 2028, Karnataka will have full decentralization, a robust health network offering complex medical treatment to all the citizens, accessible, affordable, and inclusive," said Minister Patil.

The Department of Medical Education is leading this charge, laying down a strict road map to overhauling Karnataka's public health sector over the next three years.