Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over the inauguration of a new 450-bed multi-speciality hospital building on the campus of the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KRIMS), marking a significant expansion of health infrastructure in Uttara Kannada district.
The facility, constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹200 crore, is intended to strengthen secondary and specialist care in the region and reduce the need for patients to travel to centres in cities such as Udupi, Mangaluru and Hubballi for advanced treatment.
Alongside the hospital opening, the state government announced its intention to sanction a super-speciality hospital for Karwar in the upcoming state budget, with construction expected to begin in the next financial year. The proposal is part of a broader push to expand access to high-end medical services across the state, particularly in districts where such facilities have been limited.
The new KRIMS hospital adds substantial bed capacity and clinical services to the district headquarters, a move seen as strengthening the overall public health network in coastal Karnataka. Officials overseeing the project highlighted its potential to ease pressure on referral hospitals in larger cities and improve local access to comprehensive care.
The expansion of healthcare infrastructure comes amid broader development initiatives in the district, reflecting continued government emphasis on upgrading essential services. Plans are also underway for additional medical colleges and specialised units in other parts of Karnataka, aligning with state health policy goals.
