The budget has come as a boon for undergraduate medical course aspirants in the state. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the number of medical seats will be increased from the existing 100 to 150, at government medical colleges in Mandya, Hassan, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Raichur and Bidar.
He announced setting up of a new medical college at the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bengaluru, with an intake of 150 students. Presently, this hospital comes under Bangalore Medical college. The CM announced setting up of new medical colleges at Karwar, Chamrajnagar and Madikeri. This announcement was made even during the 2015-16 annual budget, along with the announcement to set up medical colleges in Koppal, Gadag and Kalaburagi.
“These colleges were not opened as there was no proper infrastructure, due to which we could not invite the Medical Council of India Committee for inspection,” said an official from the department.