Karnataka to set up 5 new cancer hospitals
Belagavi: The Karnataka government plans to establish cancer hospitals in five key locations across the state to ease the burden on patients who currently travel to Bengaluru for treatment, Minister for Medical Education, Sharan Prakash Patil, announced on Monday.
Replying to a question from MLC M Nagaraj in the Legislative Council, the State Medical Education Minister said, priority is being given to the establishment of these hospitals, ensuring they are "equipped with all necessary facilities".
According to the PTI report, Patil said, "While I was Minister in the previous government, I established a cancer centre in Kalaburagi, and I have now sanctioned 250 beds for it. The government has already taken steps to set up well-equipped cancer hospitals in Karwar, Mandya, Shivamogga, Mysuru, and Tumakuru.''
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"If a suitable site is found, the government is seriously considering building a well-equipped cancer hospital in Belagavi," the Minister said.
Further, he added, "Earlier, the government was considering opening a cancer hospital at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), but due to a shortage of land, the plan is pending.
Noting that the government provides free treatment at cancer hospitals for those with Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards, Patil said, "We charge a 30 per cent fee to Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders. We are ensuring quality treatment and basic facilities in district and taluk hospitals", news agency PTI reported.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Karnataka's Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, launched a new book that investigates the key factors contributing to the rising incidence of kidney disease. The book, which also reveals gaps in healthcare delivery, examines how government policies are shaping early interventions and high-risk management to combat this devastating, resource-draining condition, is authored by Vasundhara Raghavan, CEO of Kidney Warriors Foundation (KWF), a patient support group for those with kidney disease.
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