Proposal to expand Institute of Gastroenterology on Victoria Hospital premises will be considered soon: CM

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the proposal to expand the Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT) on the premises of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru would be considered soon.

Surprise inspection

During a surprise inspection of IGOT, Trauma and Emergency Care Centre (TECC) and Vani Vilas Hospital’s triage zone on the premises of Victoria Hospital, affiliated to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), the Chief Minister said there is a need to increase the current 120 beds at IGOT to 300 beds as people from across the country are seeking treatment here.

“Liver transplants usually cost ₹30 to ₹40 lakh in the private sector, but they are done free here. A proposal on the expansion is already with the government and will be considered soon,” ,” the Chief Minister said. 

The Chief Minister, who was accompanied by Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil, interacted with the patients, including a few from Bihar and other States. “People from across the country come to Victoria Hospital. There is overcrowding. So there is a need to increase its capacity,” he said.

Free treatment

Calling upon the doctors to treat patients with compassion and empathy, the Chief Minister said, “As people are getting free treatment here, there will be too much pressure on the doctors. I have told them to be compassionate.”

During the visit, the Chief Minister and Medical Education Minister checked the quality of food being served in the hospital canteen and tasted it.

Responding to queries about private ambulance drivers fleecing patients as government ambulances are not available, Mr. Siddaramaiah said that people can utilise 108 ambulance services that are being streamlined.