Karnataka Allocates INR 17,473.4 Cr for Health in Budget 2026–27

The government also plans to strengthen 108 ambulance services by bringing the command control centre under the health and family welfare department.

The Karnataka government has allocated INR 17,473.4 Cr to the health and family welfare sector in the Budget 2026–27, with plans to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, improve maternal health services, and expand disease prevention programs across the state.

Presenting his 17th Budget, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government aims to improve access to quality healthcare services and reduce preventable maternal mortality. “We believe that a healthy population is a prerequisite for building an equal society. We are committed to ensuring quality health services from birth to all age groups without discrimination at affordable rates. It is our resolve to reduce the preventable maternal mortality rate to zero,” he said.

To support maternal healthcare, the government has allocated INR 320 Cr to strengthen obstetric services in hospitals. The funding will support the deployment of equipment to treat and prevent severe postpartum haemorrhage using digital technologies. Maternal and child health specialists will also be deputed to every taluka hospital through reallocation of posts.

The budget also includes investments aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure. A 200-bed hospital will be constructed in Bengaluru at INR 150 Cr, while Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru will undergo renovation for INR 650 Cr. District and taluk hospitals requiring major repairs will be renovated in phases with an allocation of INR 183 Cr.

In the Kalyana Karnataka region, the government has earmarked INR 873 Cr under the Kalyana Karnataka Comprehensive Health Scheme to strengthen health systems and improve service delivery.

A new policy focused on the prevention and treatment of burn injuries among women will also be introduced, described as a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

Additional initiatives include a pilot program for early diagnosis of rare metabolic disorders in prenatal and infant populations in Kalyana Karnataka and mining-affected regions, with an allocation of INR 10 Cr. A cervical cancer prevention program will also be implemented to vaccinate 14-year-old girls with the HPV vaccine in 20 taluks of mining-affected and Kalyana Karnataka regions, for INR 9 Cr.

The Gruha Aarogya Scheme, initially launched in Kolar district to screen and treat six non-communicable diseases, will be expanded across the state with a budget of INR 100 Cr.

The government also plans to strengthen 108 ambulance services by bringing the command control centre under the health and family welfare department. In addition, INR 50 Cr has been allocated for a mission-mode program to control communicable diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, and Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) in the Malenad region.

Dr. Shafiq AM, CEO and co-founder of TriLife Hospital, said the budget reflects continued focus on strengthening healthcare delivery and improving collaboration between public and private healthcare providers.

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