Karnataka Budget: 2,500 health jobs, digital hospitals & life-saving upgrades – Here’s what CM Siddaramaiah announced!

CM Siddaramaiah unveils major reforms in the health sector, including filling 2,500 vacant posts, expanding trauma care, strengthening maternal and child health programs, and digitizing medical services across Karnataka.

In the 2026-27 Karnataka Budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced significant reforms and investments for the health sector, aiming to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and services across the state. A major highlight includes the immediate filling of 2,500 vacant posts in the Health Department to ensure better service delivery.

The CM highlighted the success of last year’s initiative to reduce maternal mortality, which saw a 24% decline. Expert committees now assess every maternal death, ensuring quality antenatal and delivery care, with maternity hospitals receiving enhanced guidance, modern equipment, and additional staff.

Under the Anemia-Free Nutritious Karnataka scheme, 52 lakh school and college children were screened for anemia, and 11.7 lakh children received free treatment, with 3.7 lakh fully recovered. The remaining children continue to receive follow-up care.

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For cardiovascular emergencies, the ST-Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) program conducted 9.4 lakh ECGs, identifying 13,933 critical heart patients, of whom 7,668 received immediate treatment.

Infrastructure development continues with completion of primary health centers, community health centers, and taluk hospitals initiated in the past three years. This year, ₹900 crore is allocated for strengthening health infrastructure.

Under Ayushman Bharat–Health Karnataka, treatment package rates from 2018 are revised with the HBPI-2022 rates, benefiting economically weaker patients. An additional ₹400 crore will support this initiative, implemented alongside other government schemes for workers and welfare boards.

Trauma care facilities at district and taluk hospitals will be upgraded with emergency units, operating theaters, and ICUs, supported by a ₹45 crore allocation. Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) treatment continues with existing Nutrition Rehabilitation Centers (NRC) in 86 taluks, expanding to 63 more with a ₹6 crore allocation. Special care for low birth weight and sick newborns will receive ₹10 crore for enhanced neonatal services.

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Children under 18 with Type-1 diabetes will receive free insulin pens. Priority funding will strengthen healthcare in Kalyana Karnataka through KKRDB micro plans, and KMERC funding will expand comprehensive health services in Bellary, Vijayanagar, Chitradurga, and Tumakuru. Pallium India will support home-based palliative care for patients with severe or terminal illnesses.

Dialysis services will be expanded across 50 high-demand centers, increasing 150 beds annually to provide 1.35 lakh dialysis sessions, with ₹20 crore allocated. The Mayakonda PHC in Davangere will be upgraded to a community health center. Public Health Cadre implementation will be strengthened by objective appointments of DHOs, district surgeons, and other officials.

The Digital Health Program will introduce:

•    Complete digitization of health department vehicles via the “Samast” mobile app.
•    Full computerization of patient registration, health records, and UPI-based payment at government health centers.
•    Tele-radiology scanning and Smart Labour Rooms at health facilities.

ISKCON’s food distribution model will expand to select district and taluk hospitals, while Panchakarma units will operate self-sustainably in AYUSH hospitals.

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