Karnataka Health Minister Inaugurates New Critical Care Unit at Bailhongal Taluk Hospital
In a significant development for healthcare infrastructure in Karnataka, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao laid the foundation stone for a new 50-bed Critical Care Unit (CCU) at the Taluk Government Hospital in Bailhongal, Belagavi district. The ceremony, held on Monday, was jointly organized by the Belagavi district administration, the Zilla Panchayat, and the state health department.
Minister Praises Hospital Management and Announces Major Funding
Addressing the gathering at the event, Minister Rao commended the Bailhongal facility as one of the best-managed taluk hospitals in Karnataka. He emphasized that if similar high standards of management and care were replicated across all taluk hospitals in the state, most patient grievances could be effectively resolved, leading to improved healthcare outcomes.
Rao revealed that the state government has sanctioned nearly Rs 300 crore for various health projects in Belagavi district alone, underscoring a strong commitment to enhancing medical infrastructure throughout Karnataka. He highlighted several ongoing initiatives as key steps toward expanding access to quality treatment:
- The Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti scheme, aimed at providing cardiac care.
- Tele-ICU services, which enable remote critical care monitoring.
- The Home Health Care programme, designed to bring medical services to patients' doorsteps.
New CCU to Address Critical Healthcare Needs in Bailhongal
Minister Rao described the new 50-bed CCU as crucial for Bailhongal taluk, noting that the hospital currently handles approximately 200 deliveries every month and has maintained a record with no major public complaints. This addition is expected to significantly boost emergency and intensive care capabilities in the region.
In response to a request from local MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi, Rao announced an additional Rs 2 crore for constructing a compound wall around the hospital premises. This funding aims to enhance security and infrastructure at the facility.
Local MLA Highlights Project Funding and Growing Patient Load
Bailhongal MLA Mahantesh Koujalagi provided further details on the project, stating that Rs 23 crore had been released specifically for the CCU initiative. He also highlighted the hospital's increasing patient load, with daily outpatient registrations rising from about 110 per day seven years ago to more than 800 currently.
Koujalagi emphasized the need for increased funds for the compound wall construction and additional fuel allocation for ambulances, citing the taluk's wide geographical coverage area. These measures are intended to support the hospital's expanded services and ensure efficient patient transport across the region.
The foundation stone laying ceremony marks a pivotal step in Karnataka's efforts to strengthen rural healthcare, with the new CCU set to provide advanced medical care and reduce the burden on larger urban hospitals. This initiative aligns with broader state goals to improve health infrastructure and accessibility for all residents.
