State govt. will roll out 750 new ambulances by Dec., says Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The State government will introduce 750 advanced ambulances by December to strengthen emergency healthcare, particularly in rural areas, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Minority Welfare, Waqf and Haj U.T. Khader said on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference at the District Congress Committee office in Kalaburagi, Mr. Khader said that the proposal was discussed with the Chief Minister and steps are being taken to ensure the timely deployment of these ambulances.

He said that penalties will be imposed on those responsible if ambulances fail to reach patients within the stipulated 20 minutes to hospital.

Five-bed ICUs

To improve access to emergency care in rural areas, the State government will establish five-bed intensive care units (ICUs) in every taluk. The initiative is expected to ease the burden on District Hospitals, he added.

The State government is also working to address the shortage of doctors and nurses at primary health centres.

Recruitment of around 1,000 doctors and nurses is under way, with preference being given to MBBS-qualified doctors to ensure the availability of full-time medical services in hospitals, he said.

Women health policy

Mr. Khader said that the State government is prioritising preventive healthcare, mental health, free dental care, women’s health and maternal and child healthcare. An exclusive women’s health policy will be introduced, he added.

Measures are also being taken to regulate the prices of medicines used to treat serious ailments, including cancer and kidney diseases. The prices of 147 medicines will be kept within the prescribed limits, he said.

Minority welfare

The State government has allocated ₹4,600 crore to the Minorities Welfare Department, with 3.5 lakh students receiving free education through residential institutions, he said.

Mr. Khader said that the State government will soon distribute laptops to eligible students pursuing engineering, M.Tech and BCA courses based on their merit and below poverty line criteria.

The State government has also drawn up plans to build 35 new residential schools and to expand admission capacity in existing minority hostels.

On Haj arrangements, Mr. Khader said that the State government will introduce new arrangements from next month to reduce the cost of the pilgrimage.

It has been planned to send two batches of pilgrims every month to make the pilgrimage more affordable.

Replying to a question on the allegations of corruption at Gobbur Primary Health Centre in Afzalpur taluk, Mr. Khader said that an inquiry is under way and those found guilty will face legal action.

Wake-up call

Reacting to the election results in the North-East Teachers Constituency of the Legislative Council, Mr. Khader said that the Congress respects people’s verdict and it will treat every election result as a wake-up call.

The party will focus on public welfare rather than imitate the BJP’s political strategies and it is confident of winning the next Assembly elections, he claimed.

Defending the State government’s guarantee schemes against criticism from BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra over lack of funds, he said that the schemes will continue to be implemented effectively.

MP Radhakrishna Doddamani, MLA Allamprabhu Patil, MLCs Thippannappa Kamaknoor and Jagdev Guttedar, the former Minister Rahim Khan and Congress district president Kiran Deshmukh were present.

Published - October 28, 2026 07:30 pm IST