Superspecialty Hospitals, Medical Colleges planned in each district: Karnataka Govt
Shivamogga: In addition to establishing a government medical college in every district, the Karnataka government will also set up a superspecialty hospital, cancer centre, cardiology hospital, and trauma care centre in each district, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil announced on Saturday.
The move aims to strengthen the state’s public healthcare infrastructure and provide affordable, high-quality treatment in competition with corporate hospitals.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Karnataka government is planning to set up 11 new medical colleges under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in 11 districts of the state, which currently do not have government medical colleges.
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The minister made this significant announcement while speaking at the Doctorpreneur Summit 2025, organised by the International Lingayat Youth Forum’s Shivamogga chapter, held at Sarji Convention Hall.
Speaking to TNIE, “My intention as the medical education minister is clear: I want to establish government medical colleges across the state. People ask me if I have gone out of my mind and why there is a need for more medical colleges when there are already many in the state. When I first served as the medical education minister, I convinced the CM to establish a government medical college in every district. The goal was twofold: to realise the dream of meritorious students from rural and economically weaker backgrounds to become doctors, and to take care of poor patients at the teaching hospitals attached to each medical college,” he said.
Currently, Karnataka has 24 government medical colleges, with the goal of expanding that number so that each of the state's districts will have its own college within the next 4–5 years.
He expressed his intention to establish a superspecialty hospital in each district to compete with private hospitals, with the sole aim of setting a standard. Without the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, the cost of a stent would have been ₹3 lakh. Thanks to the institute, the price has come down to ₹60,000 even in private hospitals. These facilities are being developed to establish benchmarks and keep prices under control.
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The minister also appreciated the contribution of private doctors and institutions, which handle 60 to 70% of patients. “I am not referring to corporate hospitals, which cater to only 5% of patients. We need to limit their dominance as they charge exorbitant prices. Instead, we should encourage doctors to establish private hospitals that provide treatment at affordable rates, with a genuine intent to care for patients rather than profit. You should take the first step in this regard,” he advised, reports the TNIE.
Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra also echoed the need for affordable healthcare access, urging private hospitals to make their services more accessible to poor and middle-class families.
Similarly, Davanagere MP Prabha Mallikarjun and MLA S.N. Channabasappa, who were present at the summit, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing healthcare challenges in Karnataka.
