Additional block with 450 beds planned at Bengaluru's Kidwai

The Department of Medical Education, in an attempt to improve the quality of care and address the shortage of beds at the state-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), is planning to establish an additional block with 450 beds on its current campus on Dr H Marigowda Road. 

At a review meeting recently, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil directed Kidwai officials to submit a detailed blueprint for the new block as soon as possible. 

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Patil said poor people travel from far-off places for treatment at Kidwai, during which they sell their homes and lands to fund the treatment.

To put an end to all of this, the facilities must be expanded, he added. 

Currently, Kidwai has 720 beds, but the number of patients far exceeds the available capacity. 

The minister instructed officials to admit outpatients as inpatients until their final investigation reports are ready, so that patients do not face difficulties while waiting. 

He announced that peripheral cancer centres (PCCs) are set to become operational in Tumakuru, Mysuru, Mandya and Karwar in the next few months.

Additionally, centres are being planned in Ballari, Shivamogga, Raichur, Bidar and Belagavi.  The existing PCC in Kalaburagi will be upgraded from 80 to 210 beds in a new building, he said. 

Dr Patil instructed Kidwai director Dr T Naveen to pay full salary to nurses who took maternity leave in the past, as over 30 contract and outsourced nurses were denied full salary in 2021.