CM Siddaramaiah and Azim Premji Foundation Chief Executive Officer Anurag Behar exchanged greetings during the MoU signing.
Credit: Special arrangement
In a major boost to the Karnataka's healthcare infrastructure, the state government and the Azim Premji Foundation on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a 1,000-bed charitable super-speciality hospital in the city.
The facility, which will focus on human organ transplantation, is set to be developed with an estimated investment of Rs 4,000 crore over the next five years.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony held at the Vidhana Soudha Banquet Hall, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state government has sanctioned 10 acres of land on the premises of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases for the project.
The land has been provided on a 99-year lease to facilitate the construction and management of the hospital.
Philanthropic model
The chief minister lauded the foundation’s initiative, noting that the project aims to provide high-end medical care to the underprivileged.
"The Azim Premji Foundation has set a goal to spend Rs 4,000 crore over five years for the construction and maintenance of this multi-organ transplant hospital. Their commitment to performing these services free of cost is a noble act," Siddaramaiah said.
The hospital is expected to significantly ease the burden on existing government tertiary care centres like Victoria and Bowring hospitals.
According to the agreement, the foundation will have autonomy over the hospital’s management, while the state government will maintain representation on its governing board.
Strengthening public systems
Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation, emphasised that the organisation’s core philosophy is rooted in strengthening public systems.
"Healthcare begins at the grassroots with Asha workers and Primary Health Centres. Our primary goal must be to prevent people from falling ill. We are proud to partner with Karnataka, a state known for its proactive administration in the health sector," Behar said.
The chief minister also highlighted the foundation’s 25-year legacy in Karnataka's education and health sectors.
He specifically recalled the foundation’s contribution of Rs 1.5 crore in 2024 to provide eggs four days a week to students from LKG to Class 10. He also mentioned the 'Deepika Scholarship,' which provides Rs 30,000 annually to students graduating from government colleges.
Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil and other senior officials were present during the event.