Free organ transplants: Karnataka, Azim Premji Foundation to build 1,000-bed hospital

The Karnataka government will provide land near NIMHANS as Azim Premji Foundation invests ₹1,000 crore to create a large multi-speciality hospital focused on free organ transplants for the poor.

In a major step aimed at strengthening public healthcare for the poor, the Karnataka government has announced plans to set up a 1,000-bed multi-speciality hospital in Bengaluru dedicated to organ transplants. The project will be developed in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation.

Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil said the State government will allot 10 acres of land adjacent to NIMHANS for the hospital. The land will be provided on a 99-year lease, while the Azim Premji Foundation will fully fund the construction and operations of the facility.

According to the Minister, the foundation will invest ₹1,000 crore to establish the hospital and is expected to spend around ₹350 crore every year on its maintenance and operations. The hospital will offer advanced treatment facilities for kidney, liver, lung and other organ transplants.

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The project will be implemented in phases. A 350-bed hospital is expected to be ready within the next three years. Over the following five years, the capacity will be expanded to a full 1,000 beds.

Dr. Patil described the initiative as a unique healthcare model in India. Around 70% of the beds will be completely free for patients, while the remaining 30% will be available at a nominal cost. Even these paid beds will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka health insurance scheme.

At present, liver transplant services are available at the Institute of Gastro Enterology Sciences and Organ Transplant Institute in Bengaluru, which has been functioning since 2016. The new hospital’s location next to NIMHANS has been chosen to ensure smooth organ harvesting and quick transportation.

The Minister noted that Karnataka faces a heavy demand for organ transplants, with over 5,000 patients waiting for kidney transplants and more than 1,000 awaiting liver transplants. To ensure proper oversight, three government representatives will be part of the board managing the new hospital.

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On the future of the existing transplant facility, Dr. Patil said discussions are ongoing to possibly hand over its management to the Azim Premji Foundation until the new hospital becomes operational. This, he said, would help the foundation gain hands-on experience in running such a specialised healthcare institution.