Karnataka Expands e-Health Network with Paperless Hospitals & Tele-ICU Across 183 Govt Facilities

The state has earmarked INR 42 Cr for digital healthcare infrastructure and INR 30 Cr for Tele-ICU implementation.

Karnataka has unveiled a major digital health expansion plan that will extend its paperless hospital system to 183 government healthcare facilities, strengthen Tele-ICU services, and build a statewide e-Health network with broadband connectivity and digital patient records.

The initiative is expected to improve continuity of care through digital patient records while expanding access to specialist support in underserved areas.

The state's digital transformation efforts have been underway through a pilot e-hospital programme implemented in 40 government hospitals across four districts.

Based on the results of the pilot, the Health and Family Welfare Department has now decided to extend the paperless hospital system to 183 government institutions, including district hospitals, taluk hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs).

The broader e-Health project also aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Primary Health Centres (PHCs), CHCs and taluk hospitals, creating the digital foundation required for connected healthcare services.

Expanding Karnataka's e-Health Ecosystem

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader said the government's objective is to create a unified digital health ecosystem where patient information is securely available whenever treatment is required.

"The purpose of introducing the e-Health project is to ensure that govt hospitals have complete health data of every patient. This will help doctors to evaluate the patient based on this previous health track record, including lab reports," he said.

The minister also said patient privacy will be protected as the system expands.

The government also plans to explore connecting private hospitals to the same digital health platform, enabling patients to access their medical records even when they seek treatment outside the public healthcare system.

Tele-ICU to Strengthen Critical Care Access

Alongside digitization, Karnataka has also announced plans to strengthen critical care services through an INR 30 Cr Tele-ICU programme.

The model will enable trained nurses at taluk hospitals and CHCs to manage critically ill patients while consulting specialists remotely.

According to the government, the approach is expected to improve access to specialist care in rural and semi-urban areas and reduce the need for patients to travel to higher centres for emergency treatment.

Funding & Future Expansion Plans

The state has earmarked INR 42 Cr for digital healthcare infrastructure and INR 30 Cr for Tele-ICU implementation.

Karnataka has also indicated that future hospital projects will integrate AYUSH services alongside allopathic care, allowing patients to choose their preferred treatment system within the same healthcare facility.

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