Chief Minister announces cancer unit, expansion of medical infrastructure; inaugurates 450-bed multi-speciality hospital at Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences
Karwar: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday announced that a super speciality hospital will be approved for Karwar in the upcoming state budget, reaffirming the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure across districts.
The announcement was made after inaugurating a 450-bed multi-speciality hospital constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore on the premises of the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). The Chief Minister also launched several development works during the event.
Super Speciality Hospital, Cancer Unit Planned
Addressing the gathering, Siddaramaiah said the government has set a target to establish super speciality hospitals for the poor in every district to ensure advanced treatment facilities are accessible locally.
“In the upcoming budget of 2026-27, I will ensure approval for a super speciality hospital in Karwar. A dedicated cancer unit will also be established here,” the Chief Minister said.
He highlighted that providing comprehensive medical services at district headquarters is among the top priorities of the state government.
Reducing Dependence on Other Cities
The Chief Minister noted that residents of Uttara Kannada district earlier had to travel to cities like Udupi, Mangaluru, or Hubballi for advanced medical treatment. With the establishment of the 450-bed hospital in Karwar, access to specialised healthcare services has significantly improved.
He recalled that during his previous tenure as Chief Minister in 2016, he had inaugurated the medical college in Karwar as part of the government’s vision to establish medical colleges in every district.
Currently, Karnataka has 22 government medical colleges, and the government plans to establish new institutions in Kolar, Puttur, and Vijayapura (Bijapur) in the coming years.
Development and Guarantee Schemes Defended
Responding to criticism from the opposition, Siddaramaiah said development work continues despite allegations that the government has exhausted its funds due to welfare guarantees.
He stated that approximately Rs 2,954 crore has been spent on guarantee schemes in Uttara Kannada district alone, while around Rs 1,18,000 crore has been allocated statewide for the implementation of people-centric guarantees.
“The BJP criticizes our guarantee schemes and simultaneously claims there is no development. Our development journey continues unabated,” he said.
Bridge Project to Be Prioritised
The Chief Minister also accused the previous BJP government of failing to complete bridge projects in the region. He assured that the current government will prioritise and complete the bridge connecting Uluga and Keravadi villages to improve connectivity.
The inauguration of the multi-specialty hospital and the announcement of new healthcare projects mark a significant boost to medical infrastructure in coastal Karnataka, particularly in the Uttara Kannada district.
