Karnataka: CM announces slew of measures for healthcare revamp, details

Bengaluru: In an effort to improve healthcare facilities in the state, Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai announced that the government would take a few measures to develop public health facilities and provide patients with the best quality services.

In a series of announcements, CM Bommai on Thursday said that the KC General Hospital at Malleswaram would be developed along the lines of Victoria Hospital to provide better health services to the ever-increasing population in the city.

In his address, while inaugurating the sub-centre of Jayadeva institute of cardiology and sub-centre of Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital, he stated that approval would be given soon to set up a 200-bedded MCH and a 50-bedded trauma care centre in the hospital.

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He further said that his government is according priority to public health and that 4 multi-speciality hospitals would be set up in four directions of the city besides commencing the 'Namma Clinic' in all 243 wards. Besides, 20 Public Health Centres (PHCs) would also be upgraded.

He stated that Rs. 500 crores has been earmarked to provide cochlear implantation free of cost for the poor. The number of dialysis cycles per day in the state has been increased from 30,000 to 60,000 he added.

He informed that cancer treatment centres will be set up at 12 places across the state, ANI reports. 

Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, MLA of Malleswaram and Minister for Higher Education said, Jayadeva hospital sub- centre and Indira Gandhi Children's hospitals sub-centre set up in KC General Hospital would provide better health services, especially to the people of Northern Bengaluru.

Thanking the Health Minister and his department for setting up the centres within a short span of 1 year, he said that the KC General Hospital would become a 900 bedded hospital in the coming days.

He wished that the hospital established by Mysore maharaja in 1910 should become a symbol of quality health service.

MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao presided over. Dr C Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva institute of cardiology, Health Department Principal Secretary Anil Kumar, Kidwai institute Director Dr Ramachandra, Head of Rajiv Gandhi institute of chest diseases Dr Nagaraj, BBMP Health Commissioner Randeep were present.

Thinking of providing healthcare services at the regional level, CM announced that a team of doctors will provide advice to the Community Health Centres 24x7 via telemedicine and the centres will be linked with six command centres. In addition to upgrading the 100 PHCs to CHCs which will be later linked with the telemedicine system, the bed capacity will be increased at a cost of Rs 7 lakh to 8 lakh. Construction of the new PHCs is under process, Deccan Herald reports. 

Meanwhile, Health Minister K Sudhakar said that the government will open 438 'Namma Clinics' across the state of which 243 will be in Bengaluru. The minister was speaking to reporters after inspecting a model 'Namma Clinic' unit in Mahalakshmi Layout in the city.

"We will set up 438 Namma Clinics across Karnataka. Of the 243 will be in Bengaluru. Each clinic will consist of a doctor, a nurse, a lab technician and a group D employee," he said.

Sudhakar said the appointment of 160 doctors has been completed. He said that the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has issued a notification to appoint doctors for 'Namma Clinics', which is expected to be completed by the end of this week. The appointments for the remaining staff have been completed for the 243 'Namma Clinics' in the BBMP limits, he added.

"The programme has been focused to address the healthcare needs of the urban poor, especially people falling below the poverty line and those living in huts. Each ward of the city will consist of at least one Namma Clinic and will operate like PHCs. In addition to providing healthcare, the clinics will focus on creating awareness about government healthcare schemes," Sudhakar explained.

As per the guidelines, PHCs by the population exist in rural areas. However, there aren't enough government healthcare centres in urban areas to cater to the population. Hence, this new scheme has been launched, the minister pointed out.

Sudhakar said the clinics are being established in government and rented buildings, which have an area of 1,000-1,200 Sq.ft, PTI reports. 

"The government will incur a cost of Rs 138 crore to maintain the staff each year," he added.

According to him, the clinics will also create awareness about Yoga, Pranayama, Dhyana and food habits. Taking a cue from the Delhi government's Mohalla Clinic, the health department aims to set up a 'Namma Clinic' in each ward of Bengaluru, a health department official said.

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