Karnataka Allocates Rs 320 Crore To Reduce Maternal Mortality

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reaffirmed on Friday the Karnataka government's commitment to eliminating preventable maternal mortality, announcing an allocation of Rs 320 crore to tackle the issue in the state.

Presenting his 16th state budget, he outlined various health infrastructure projects set for implementation in 2025-26. A key initiative includes a first-of-its-kind policy in India aimed at preventing and treating burn injuries among women.

The government plans to launch a mission-mode programme to minimise maternal mortality by strengthening obstetric services. Hospitals will be equipped with advanced technology to treat and prevent severe postpartum hemorrhage, while efforts to combat anemia among pregnant women will include the distribution of nutrition kits, financial incentives, and Vatsalya Kits in backward districts. MCH specialists will also be deployed in every taluka hospital through post re-deployment.

To ensure accountability, maternal mortality cases will undergo audits by the State Technical Expert Committee, with its recommendations submitted to the State Empowered Committee for further action.

Following public outrage over maternal deaths last year, the government has announced the construction of a 200-bed hospital in Bengaluru North Taluk at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

Several Primary Health Centres in newly announced taluks—including Hanur, Alanavar, Annigeri, Maski, Sirivar, Kapu, Babaleshwar, Kolhar, Cheluru, and Terdal—will be upgraded to Community Health Centres. Additionally, a new CHC will be established in Ponnampet.

Major hospital renovations have also been planned. Taluka hospitals in Maluru, Magadi, Kushalanagar, Koratagere, Jagaluru, Savanuru, Ramadurga, and Savadatti, as well as the district hospital in Davangere and Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru, will be upgraded at a cost of Rs 650 crore. A new medical college will be set up in Puttur by upgrading the existing 100-bed taluka hospital.

The ‘Gruha Aarogya Scheme,’ which was piloted in Kolar in 2024-25 to screen and treat six non-communicable diseases, will now be expanded across the state at a cost of Rs 100 crore.

Further investments include a 200-bed hospital in Molakalmuru (Chitradurga district), a 400-bed hospital in Virajapete (Kodagu district), and the upgrade of the Community Health Centre in Tagaduru (Mysuru district) to a 100-bed hospital. Extensive repairs to district and taluk hospitals will be undertaken in a phased manner at a cost of Rs 183 crore.

Under the Kalyana Karnataka Comprehensive Health Scheme, Rs 873 crore will be spent on improving health indicators and strengthening healthcare systems in the region. A cancer diagnosis unit will be set up at Bidar Government Medical College Hospital, while institutions modeled on NIMHANS will be established at Mysuru and Kalaburagi Medical Colleges, each costing Rs 100 crore.

Additionally, a super-specialty hospital will be built under the Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences for Rs 100 crore, and a Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Treatment Unit will be set up at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital in Raichur for Rs 50 crore.

(With inputs from PTI)