Belagavi: Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced that the Karnataka government will construct separate hospitals in regions where government medical colleges are currently attached to district hospitals.
He made the announcement on December 18 during the winter session of the Karnataka legislature while responding to questions from members N. T. Srinivas and Prakash Koliwad.
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The districts identified for the new hospitals include Bidar, Kodagu, Chamarajanagar, Vijayanagar, and Haveri. According to current rules, towns with a population of over 10 lakh and a bed occupancy rate exceeding 70% are eligible to have a district hospital.
Some of the new district hospitals are already under construction. The hospital in Vijayanagar is expected to be inaugurated in February 2026, while the remaining hospitals in other districts will be inaugurated in the coming months.
Earlier, on December 8th, Dinesh Gundu Rao cautioned private hospitals across the state against conducting unnecessary caesarean deliveries for financial gain.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao cautioned private hospitals across the state against conducting unnecessary caesarean deliveries for financial gain, asserting that strict action would be taken against those found violating medical norms. Such violations can attract penalties of up to ₹50,000 and even cancellation of registration under the KPME Act. Responding to a question raised by JD(S) member Govinda Raju in the Legislative Council, the minister said that no private hospitals have yet been formally identified for performing unwarranted C-sections, and the District Karnataka Private Medical Establishment (KPME) Registration and Grievance Redressal Authorities have not received any complaints from the public regarding such practices.