CM inaugurates chemotherapy centres in 16 district hospitals
The initiative aims to decentralise cancer treatment and reduce the dependency on Bengaluru's Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the government hospitals were committed to delivering quality healthcare, noting the availability of experienced and specialised doctors in the hospitals. 'With these centres, cancer treatment is now available closer to patients' homes. This will prevent them from travelling long distances for the treatment,' he said.
The newly established centres, announced in the previous year's State Budget, feature a 20-bedded facility in Mysuru and 10-bedded units in 15 other districts. With over 70,000 new cancer cases diagnosed annually in Karnataka, these centres are expected to improve early detection and treatment outcomes, he said.
Mr. Siddaramaiah urged the people not to lose hope in case they were diagnosed with cancer and encouraged citizens to undergo annual full-body check-ups for early detection and prevention.
In addition to the chemotherapy initiative, several key healthcare developments were announced.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said MRI scanning facilities will soon be operational at the district hospital in Mysuru. Dialysis centres have been established in 240 locations across the State. The Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences was established in Mysuru during my earlier tenure, he added.
He said the government's five guarantee schemes are being implemented without any caste or religious bias. These schemes benefit over 1.22 crore women and provide free electricity to 1.63 crore households.
Minister for Health Dinesh Gundu Rao highlighted the financial struggles of cancer patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
He said the new chemotherapy centres in 16 district hospitals would ensure equitable access to treatment and revealed plans to establish a Kidwai Hospital branch in Mysuru in the near future.
K. Harish Gowda, MLA, credited the Chief Minister with transforming Mysuru's healthcare system and suggested the inclusion of NIMHANS services to address mental health needs in the city. A Kidwai branch will soon be established in Mysuru.
Naveen Bhat, director of the National Health Mission, described the launch as a major milestone in Karnataka's cancer care strategy. He announced the rollout of a hub-and-spoke model in partnership with Kidwai Hospital, ensuring accessibility for specialised treatment at the district level.
Minister in charge of Mysuru district H.C. Mahadevappa, MLCs D. Thimmaiah and Yathindra Siddaramaiah, exhibition authority chairman Ayub Khan, Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, zilla panchayat Chief Executive Officer S. Yukesh Kumar, Mysuru City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar were present.
Earlier, the Chief Minister went around the facility and spoke to the patients.
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