Parliament Question: Super-speciality blocks of medical colleges in Karnataka

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO.3617 TOBE ANSWERED ON24TH MARCH, 2026 SUPER-SPECIALITYBLOCKSOFMEDICALCOLLEGES IN KARNATAKA 3617.SHRIIRANNAKADADI: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a) the operational status of super-specialty blocks constructed in government medical colleges across North Karnataka; (b) whether the completion of these infrastructure projects has reduced the need for patients to traveltometropolitan citiesfor advancedcare; (c) the details of funds actively utilized for the procurement of advanced diagnostic and surgical equipmentfor these medical collegesin2025-26; (d) the progress in increasing post-graduate medical seats in the State to address the shortage of specialists; and (e) the steps taken to ensure the recruitment and retention of medical faculty in tier-2 and tier-3 cities? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a) to (e) Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), three Government Medical Colleges (GMC) in the State of Karnataka namely (i) Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore; (ii) Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Bellary; and (iii) Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi have been upgraded by way of construction of Super-Specialty Blocks (SSBs)/Trauma Care Blocks and procurement of medical equipment on Centre–State cost-sharing basis. The upgradation of GMCs has enhanced availability and accessibility of tertiary healthcare services to the people of area. As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of Karnataka, operation and maintenance of facilities established under the scheme is the responsibility of the StateGovernment.Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for the 'Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals', four medical colleges have been approved in the State of Karnataka at Chikkamagaluru, Haveri, Yadgiri, and Chikkaballapura. Additionally, under CSS for strengthening and upgradation of GMCs for increase of MBBS and PG seats, approvalhas been accordedfor addition of 70 Postgraduate (PG) and550 MBSS seats across variousGMCs inKarnataka. *****