CM Siddaramaiah announces IVF facilities, hospital upgrades, and new super-speciality centres to strengthen healthcare services
Bengaluru: The Government of Karnataka has announced several major initiatives in the 2026–27 state budget to strengthen medical education, expand tertiary healthcare facilities and upgrade hospital infrastructure across the state.
Presenting the budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah outlined plans focused on improving access to specialised healthcare, expanding cancer and cardiovascular treatment services, and enhancing facilities for medical students.
IVF Facilities and Student Hostel at BMCRI
The government has allocated Rs 1 crore each to establish Assisted Reproductive Technology (IVF) facilities in Bengaluru and Kalaburagi, aiming to expand infertility treatment services in public hospitals.
In addition, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for constructing a boys’ hostel for MBBS and BDS students at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) to improve accommodation facilities for medical students.
Victoria Hospital to Be Renamed
The state government also announced that the 126-year-old Victoria Hospital Bengaluru will be renamed in honour of socialist leader Shantaveri Gopalagowda.
Born in Shivamogga district in 1923, Gopalagowda was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in India’s freedom movement. He later worked closely with socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia and served as a member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly three times in 1952, 1962 and 1967.
He spent the final months of his life at Victoria Hospital, where he passed away.
Rs 620 Crore for Hospitals and Medical Colleges
For the financial year 2026–27, the government has allocated Rs 620 crore for the construction of medical colleges, hospitals and super-speciality facilities across Karnataka.
An additional Rs 220 crore has been earmarked for procuring medical equipment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
Among the major projects, the existing 400-bed Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research hospital in Mysuru will be upgraded into a 600-bed facility at an estimated cost of Rs 180 crore.
New Hospitals and Medical Institutions Planned
The government will also move forward with previously announced healthcare projects. A 300-bed hospital at Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, sanctioned in the previous budget, is being taken forward.
Additionally, steps have been initiated to establish a constituent college of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in Bagalkot.
New super-speciality hospitals are also planned in Karwar and Yadgir, each expected to be built at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
Major Cancer Care Expansion
To strengthen oncology services in north Karnataka, a dedicated cancer hospital will be established at Munirabad–T.B. Dam, serving patients from Vijayanagara district and Koppal district.
A regional centre of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research will also be set up at the BBMP Multi-Speciality Hospital Govindarajanagar in Bengaluru, in collaboration with the Greater Bengaluru Authority, at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore.
Recently Completed Healthcare Projects
Several major projects under the Medical Education Department have already been completed. These include a 450-bed multi-speciality hospital in Karwar built at a cost of Rs 198 crore, a trauma care centre in Raichur costing Rs 10 crore, and peripheral cancer centres in Mysuru and Tumakuru developed at a cost of Rs 92 crore.
In addition, the Jayadeva Cardiovascular Regional Centre in Hubballi, constructed at a cost of Rs 236 crore, is expected to be inaugurated during the current year.
1,000-Bed Super-Speciality Hospital Planned in Bengaluru
The state government has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Azim Premji Foundation to construct a 1,000-bed charitable super-speciality tertiary care and organ transplant hospital.
The proposed facility will be developed within the premises of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bengaluru and is expected to significantly enhance advanced healthcare services in the region.
