Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has emphatically reaffirmed his government’s strong commitment to establishing a medical college and a state-of-the-art superspeciality hospital in every district across the state. He proudly announced that medical colleges are already operational in 22 districts, with plans well underway to extend this vital infrastructure to the remaining districts in the near future.
These significant remarks were made during a notable event in Belagavi on Saturday, where the Chief Minister officially inaugurated a new superspeciality hospital within the premises of the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS). Additionally, he unveiled a new bus terminal for the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) under the Smart City Scheme and laid foundation stones for various ambitious development projects as part of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) Multi-Disciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERU).
Addressing the challenges previously faced by the BIMS superspeciality hospital, the Chief Minister confirmed its successful launch following the provision of all necessary facilities. He further assured the public that essential medical and paramedical staff would be recruited in a phased manner to ensure optimal functioning and high-quality patient care.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah extended his sincere gratitude to Prabhakar Kore, Chairman of the KLE Society, for generously deputing doctors to provide free services at the newly opened superspeciality hospital, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving public welfare initiatives.
Highlighting the government’s core philosophy, Mr. Siddaramaiah stated, “Our government’s priority is to alleviate inequality, providing equal and superior opportunities and facilities to the poor and marginalized communities. We have meticulously crafted various programs to tackle these disparities, recognizing that delivering excellent medical facilities is a fundamental responsibility and duty of the government.” He passionately urged citizens to fully utilize the high-quality medical services available at the superspeciality hospital.
Further outlining development initiatives, the Chief Minister mentioned that Belagavi would soon receive 100 electric buses, significantly boosting public transport infrastructure. He also touched upon the positive impact of the government’s guarantee schemes, noting how they have fostered economic growth and self-reliance among underprivileged populations.
Acknowledging recent environmental challenges, Mr. Siddaramaiah addressed the extensive damage caused by heavy rainfall in North Karnataka, including crop losses across 10 lakh hectares. He announced comprehensive compensation packages: ₹17,000 per hectare for arid land cultivation and ₹21,000 per hectare for irrigated land. He further clarified that these compensations would be disbursed following the completion of a joint survey, as rainfall continues.
Focus on Cancer Care and Infrastructure
Satish Jarkiholi, Minister for Public Works and Belagavi district in-charge, highlighted the superspeciality hospital’s crucial role in serving the poor and revealed ambitious plans for establishing a dedicated cancer hospital on the BIMS premises.
Mr. Jarkiholi also provided updates on other vital infrastructure projects, including a ₹200 crore flyover aimed at easing Belagavi’s persistent traffic congestion, the construction of a new hi-tech stadium, and a modern ₹55 crore Deputy Commissioner’s office. He underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to various pro-people initiatives.
Laxmi Hebbalkar, Minister for Women and Child Development, celebrated the new hospital as another significant achievement for Belagavi, encouraging residents to benefit from its advanced services and promote cleanliness in all public institutions and utilities.
Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil metaphorically described the new hospital as a “celestial Kamadhenu” for the poor, promising access to advanced healthcare treatments without the burden of exorbitant costs.
Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy further elaborated on the success and tangible impact of the Shakti scheme and other government guarantee programs, detailing their benefits to the populace.
Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar announced the imminent commencement of the recruitment process for Assistant Professor positions, signaling a boost to academic employment.
Concluding the function, Belagavi (North) MLA Asif (Raju) Sait noted that the superspeciality hospital is expected to serve an impressive average of 2,500 out-patients daily, highlighting its potential impact. Dignitaries present at the event included Dr. Kore and a host of other prominent political leaders.