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The Karnataka government has firmed up plans to establish five new cancer hospitals across the state to enhance access to cancer treatment. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the rising incidence of cancer and provide better healthcare infrastructure in underserved regions.
The initiative aims to bring specialized cancer treatment closer to patients in rural and semi-urban areas, reducing the need to travel to major cities. Primarily it will reduce the need for patients to travel to Bengaluru for treatment.
While it has already made a 250-bed facility functional at Kalaburagi, the other locations of the hospitals are Karwar, Mandya, Shivamogga, Mysuru, and Tumakuru which are areas lacking advanced cancer care facilities.
These hospitals are expected to offer comprehensive cancer care, including early diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical oncology, and palliative care, said Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil during the Winter Session of the State Assembly.
"While I was Minister in the previous government, I established a cancer centre in Kalaburagi, and I have now sanctioned 250 beds for it. The government has already taken steps to set up well-equipped cancer hospitals in Karwar, Mandya, Shivamogga, Mysuru, and Tumakuru," Patil said adding that if a suitable site is found, the government is seriously considering building a well-equipped cancer hospital in Belagavi.
In fact earlier, the government was keen to establish a cancer hospital at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS), but due to a shortage of land, the plan is pending.
Noting that the government provides free treatment at cancer hospitals for those with Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards, the minister said that 30 per cent fee is charged for the Above Poverty Line (APL) cardholders. The focus is on extending quality treatment and basic facilities in district and taluk hospitals.
In the state budget 2024 early this year the government said Day-Care Chemotherapy Centres will be set up in each of the districts at a total cost of Rs.20 crore. For early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer that are increasing among women, digital mammography machines will be provided to 20 district hospitals and colposcopy machines will be provided to KC General Hospital, Bengaluru and district hospitals of Udupi, Kolar and Davanagere at a cost of Rs. 21 crore.
Moving on the scene of vacancies in the health department which includes hospitals and primary and community healthcare centres, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that there were 69,915 vacancies, of which 37,045 have been filled and 32,870 are still vacant.
The department has already filled 50% of the vacancies on a contract basis. The remaining positions will be filled through a mix of contract and direct appointments. For the vacant Group D posts, no more than 75% will be filled through contracts and outsourcing arrangements. Recruitment for taluk and district hospitals will be conducted in consultation with the respective Deputy Commissioners. Additionally, the Finance Department's approval has been sought to fill vacancies for specialist doctors and general duty medical officers on a contract basis, subject to specified conditions, he said.
At least 100 specialist doctors with postgraduate qualifications and 120 MBBS doctors will be appointed on a contract basis immediately, with regular appointments to follow. Medical graduates and postgraduates joining under compulsory service will be deputed to fill existing vacancies.
In the Kalyan Karnataka region, 320 posts will be filled as part of this recruitment drive. Additionally, a request to fill 9,871 vacant para-medical posts is currently under consideration by the Finance Department.
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