Shivamogga: Karnataka Medical Education Minister Dr Sharanprakash Patil on Saturday announced that, in addition to establishing a government medical college in every district, the state government will also set up a superspecialty hospital, cancer centre, cardiology hospital, and trauma care centre in each district. The move is aimed at strengthening the state’s public healthcare system and ensuring affordable treatment that can compete with corporate hospitals.
Expansion of Medical Colleges Under PPP Model
The state currently has 24 government medical colleges, with plans to expand this number so that every district will have its own medical college within the next four to five years. As earlier reported, the government is also working on setting up 11 new medical colleges in districts lacking such facilities under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. These institutions are intended to serve both as training hubs for rural and economically weaker students and as teaching hospitals catering to underprivileged patients.
Setting Benchmarks in Healthcare Costs
Highlighting the need to regulate costs, Dr Patil cited the example of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, which helped bring down the price of stents from ₹3 lakh to around ₹60,000 even in private hospitals. He stressed that superspecialty hospitals across districts would create similar benchmarks, keeping prices under control while delivering quality treatment to patients.
Role of Private Hospitals and Doctors
Acknowledging that private doctors and institutions handle nearly 60–70% of patients in Karnataka, the minister urged for more affordable private hospitals that prioritise patient care over profit. He emphasised the need to reduce the dominance of corporate hospitals, which cater to only 5% of patients but charge exorbitant fees. “Doctors should establish hospitals that genuinely care for patients rather than focus on profit,” he advised.
Leaders Call for Affordable and Accessible Care
Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra echoed the call for affordable healthcare and encouraged private hospitals to extend services to poor and middle-class families. Davanagere MP Prabha Mallikarjun and MLA S.N. Channabasappa also underlined the importance of public–private partnerships in overcoming healthcare challenges in Karnataka, stressing collaborative efforts to ensure equitable healthcare access across the state.
