Deficit of approximately 16,500 medical staff members in Karnataka

State also short of 454 PHCs (245 in urban and 209 in rural areas)

Around 160,000 beds might be necessary for covering AB-NHPM

A recently published report shed light on the concerning scarcity of medical professionals across 30 districts in Karnataka. The report emphasized the uneven distribution of healthcare workers and primary health centers (PHCs).

The state grapples with a deficit of approximately 16,500 staff members, as revealed by the report.

Bengaluru Urban, Belagavi, Mysuru, Tumakuru, Hassan, and Mandya collectively contribute to 39.1 percent of the inadequate nursing personnel. Jointly initiated by the state government and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the report, released in September 2023, underscored the critical need to address this pressing issue.

In addition to the shortage of medical professionals, the report brought attention to the insufficient number of PHCs in Karnataka, with a shortage of 454 centers (245 in urban and 209 in rural areas).

It emphasized the existence of medical infrastructure in urban regions while stressing the persisting inadequacies in rural areas, which require improved access to primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities.

Furthermore, the report indicated that around 160,000 beds might be necessary to ensure comprehensive health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat – National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM).

In many rural districts, residents continue to endure lengthy journeys to access basic healthcare services. The FICCI report recommended the establishment of 500-bed multidisciplinary hospitals, with the aim of attracting medical professionals to operate in smaller towns, thus discouraging migration to major cities.