Dinesh Gundu Rao, Karnataka’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, recently announced a significant boost for healthcare facilities in Kodagu district. He confirmed that Virajpet Government Hospital would be elevated to District Hospital status, the Hudikeri Primary Health Centre (PHC) would become a Community Health Centre (CHC), and the Kushalnagar Community Health Centre would be upgraded to a Taluk Hospital.
During a press briefing following his inspection of Virajpet Government Hospital and Hudikeri PHC, the Minister highlighted that the upgrade for Virajpet Hospital was a key proposal in this year’s budget. He further noted that earlier plans aimed to transform Ponnampet and Kushalnagar CHCs into Taluk Hospitals. With the new announcements, Kushalnagar is set to receive a dedicated Taluk Hospital, while Hudikeri’s PHC will be enhanced into a CHC.
While a 400-bed hospital was initially envisioned for Virajpet, a 250-bed facility is currently under construction, complete with essential residential quarters for medical staff. The comprehensive upgrade of Virajpet Hospital to a District Hospital is estimated to incur an expenditure of approximately ₹105 crore.
The Minister elaborated on the financial commitments, stating that upgrading the Hudikeri PHC to a 30-bed CHC would cost around ₹6 crore. Similarly, the transformation of Kushalnagar into a Taluk Hospital is projected to require an investment of about ₹40 crore.
Plans for constructing residential quarters and other associated infrastructure will proceed following a Cabinet discussion, with tender invitations expected as early as next week. The foundation stone ceremonies for these upgraded facilities in Virajpet, Hudikeri, and Kushalnagar are anticipated to take place in November or December.
Minister Rao expressed his gratitude to MLA A. S. Ponnanna, acknowledging his pivotal role in securing the government’s full backing for hospital development within the Virajpet constituency. He reiterated his personal commitment to Kodagu’s progress, emphasizing his roots in the district.
Adding to the discussions, MLA and CM’s Legal Advisor A.S. Ponnanna reminded attendees that the promise to upgrade Virajpet Hospital to a District Hospital was a central plank of their election campaign.
Ponnanna affirmed, “That pledge is now becoming a reality. Likewise, the Hudikeri PHC will be modernized into a CHC. Our manifesto also included a commitment to upgrading a Taluk Hospital to a District Hospital, and both the Chief Minister and the Minister have given a positive response, for which I extend my sincere thanks to the government.”
Subsequently, the Minister conducted a thorough visit to Virajpet Hospital, where he engaged with patients, inspected the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and various other departments. He specifically instructed the medical team to prioritize and deliver high-quality healthcare services to economically disadvantaged individuals.
His itinerary also included inspections of the proposed development sites in Virajpet, Hudikeri, and Kushalnagar, culminating in a visit to the Alur-Siddapur PHC.