Karnataka to add 200 beds at Kidwai Institute of Oncology
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the expansion during a visit to the Bengaluru hospital on Saturday.
The Karnataka government will add 200 beds to the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru, according to reports by Deccan Herald and Urban Acres. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar announced the plan during a visit to the hospital on Saturday to mark Children’s Day.
During his visit, Shivakumar interacted with children receiving cancer treatment and their families. He stated that the government is also examining a request for three acres of land to build housing for family members and mothers who accompany children to the facility.
Shivakumar said the government's responsibility includes providing shelter and emotional support to families alongside medical care. He noted that the state is looking into ways to provide necessary treatment facilities for children at no cost.
To ease the pressure on Bengaluru facilities, the government plans to launch a programme to start cancer treatment centres in several districts. Shivakumar mentioned that these facilities could be established in Tumakuru, Mysuru, Ballari, Kalaburagi, and Raichur.
The Kidwai hospital serves approximately 3.5 lakh patients every year, with nearly 1,000 people receiving treatment daily. The government has also recently approved the purchase of a second robotic machine for the hospital to upgrade its services.