Debate in Assembly Over Location of Super Speciality Hospital in Uttara Kannada
MLAs argue whether the proposed advanced hospital should be built in Karwar or a more central location like Kumta.
The long-awaited plan to establish a super speciality hospital in Uttara Kannada district has sparked a heated debate over where the facility should be located.
During the recent state budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that a modern super speciality hospital equipped with advanced medical facilities would be set up in Karwar, the district headquarters. However, the announcement has led to questions from several public representatives about whether Karwar is the most suitable location.
Raising the issue in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Dinakar Shetty, the MLA from Kumta, said that while the government’s decision to establish a super speciality hospital is welcome, its location should be reconsidered. He pointed out that Karwar lies at one end of the district, which could make it difficult for people from other taluks to reach the hospital during emergencies.
According to Shetty, Kumta is geographically located in the middle of the district. If the hospital is built there, residents from Sirsi, Siddapur, Bhatkal, and Ankola would be able to access medical services more easily.
He also highlighted that Kumta already has a railway station, which could make travel easier for patients and their families. Shetty further suggested that about 1,800 acres of land belonging to the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board is available in the Madanagiri area, where the hospital could potentially be constructed. He said the location would also remain accessible to residents of Ankola and nearby regions.
Responding to the concerns in the Assembly, Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil said establishing a separate super speciality hospital in Kumta may not be practical.
He explained that such hospitals require strong support systems, including departments like medicine, surgery, and other essential medical services. According to the minister, these facilities are already available in Karwar.
Patil noted that Karwar currently has a medical college and a 450-bed multi-speciality hospital. Setting up the super speciality hospital there would make it easier to integrate advanced treatment facilities with existing infrastructure and ensure the availability of specialist doctors.
The minister also pointed out that attracting specialist doctors to serve in Uttara Kannada district is already a challenge. Building the hospital in a location without adequate infrastructure could lead to staffing shortages and affect the functioning of the project.
The issue reflects two perspectives: residents and leaders from central parts of the district believe Karwar is too far for many patients, while the government maintains that Karwar is the most practical choice due to its existing medical infrastructure.
Currently, many patients from Uttara Kannada travel to Mangaluru, Manipal, Hubballi, or even Goa for treatment of serious illnesses. For this reason, the establishment of a super speciality hospital within the district is considered highly important for local residents.
