Madikeri: State govt has sanctioned Rs 78.1 crore for the construction of a new building at the District Hospital in Madikeri.
The project work will commence shortly, and the hospital building having a capacity of 300 beds will become fully operational in the forthcoming year.
To enhance facilities for increased patient admissions, the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences received Rs 100 crore funding in 2020. The allocated funds were designated for constructing two new hospital buildings at the District Hospital premises and the Government Women and Children’s Hospital. The Women and Children’s Hospital, having a bed strength of 150, became operational over a year ago.
However, due to insufficient funds, the completion of the 300-bed building on the District Hospital premises was affected. While a proposal of Rs 110 crore was submitted to the state for project completion, the state approved Rs 78.1 crore.
“Although the hospital building construction is complete, several auxiliary works remain pending. We opted to shift the OPD to the new building rather than leaving it vacant. The additional funding will facilitate completion of remaining works in the second phase,” said district surgeon Dr Nanjundaiah. He stated that operation theatres for all departments, safety installations, equipment procurement, interconnection between old and new hospital buildings, and laboratory infrastructure will be completed within a year using the sanctioned funds. The project was taken up by the Karnataka Health System Development and Reform Project (KHSDRP).
Dr Nanjundaiah confirmed the hospital’s new tele-reporting capabilities for MRI and CT scan. “Previously, patients waited three to four days for MRI and CT scan reports. Now, with tele-reporting, results are available within three to four hours. As the hospital lacks a radiologist, this e-reporting will benefit hundreds of patients visiting the centre,” he explained.
Madikeri MLA Manthar Gowda thanked the chief minister, deputy CM, health minister, and district minister for the funds.
