Siddaramaiah proposes critical care blocks in Udupi and others districts

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to establish critical care blocks in every district across the state, including Udupi, to enhance the quality of treatment for critically ill patients.

During the budget presentation, Siddaramaiah revealed that construction has commenced on critical care blocks in 15 districts. This year, a total of Rs 187 crore will be allocated for the construction of critical care blocks in Udupi, Davangere, Vijayapur, Mysuru, Mandya, Dharwad, and Koppal districts. Furthermore, plans are underway to initiate construction in the remaining nine districts in subsequent phases.

In areas lacking taluk hospitals such as Anekal, Nelamangala, Hoskote, Sringeri, Khanapur, Shirahatti, and Yalandur taluks, the government will construct 100-bed capacity taluk hospitals at a cost of Rs 280 crore.

An additional Rs 75 crore has been earmarked for the repair and upgrade of dilapidated buildings within the health department, with Rs 150 crore allocated for the construction of a mother and child hospital building and other infrastructure works at the general hospital premises in Bangalore.

Furthermore, the government plans to upgrade 25 Primary Health Centers to Community Health Centers with 24×7 emergency healthcare services in rural areas at a cost of Rs 350 crore over the next two years. Additionally, 15 community health centers will receive human resources allocation in the current fiscal year.

Addressing the lack of chemotherapy treatment centers in most districts for cancer patients, the government has allocated Rs 20 crore. Plans include establishing one day-care chemotherapy center in each district.

To combat the rising cases of breast and cervical cancer in women, Rs 21 crore will be allocated for the purchase of digital mammography machines and colposcopy equipment for General Hospital Bangalore, as well as hospitals in Udupi, Kolar, and Davangere districts.