Karnataka to digitise government hospitals; patients’ health records a click away: Minister UT Khader

Karnataka to digitise government hospitals; patients’ health records a click away: Minister UT Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jul 31, 2026: Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader on Thursday announced that the state government will fully digitise all district hospitals, taluk hospitals, and community health centres to improve healthcare delivery and enable seamless access to patients’ medical records.

Addressing a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, Khader said the initiative is aimed at integrating modern technology into the public healthcare system.

As part of the project, 40 government hospitals will be provided with high-speed broadband internet connectivity under a Rs 40-crore scheme.

The minister said digitisation would allow doctors to access a patient’s complete medical history with a single click, enabling better diagnosis and treatment. Once a patient visits a government hospital, details such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, laboratory reports, and prescribed medicines will be digitally recorded. These records will be available to doctors even if the patient seeks treatment at another government hospital.

Khader also said the government is considering issuing ’zero-payment bills’ to patients receiving free treatment at government hospitals upon discharge. The bill would indicate the actual cost incurred by the government for the patient’s treatment, creating greater awareness about public healthcare expenditure.

To strengthen emergency healthcare services, the government will introduce a Tele-ICU system at taluk hospitals and community health centres. Nurses in rural hospitals will receive specialised training and be connected with expert doctors through telemedicine to provide intensive care. The state has sanctioned Rs 30 crore for the project.

He added that neonatal emergency care and paediatric treatment units at the taluk level would also be strengthened, reducing the need for patients to travel to district hospitals or private medical facilities for routine specialised treatment.

Khader further said the government plans to replicate the Ullal model hospital across Karnataka, where Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) services are provided alongside allopathic treatment. New taluk hospital projects will include AYUSH hospital buildings in their construction plans.

To curb the spread of infectious diseases, the minister said the government would soon issue an official order making it mandatory for hotels and restaurants to serve hot drinking water to customers.

Strict Action Against Use of Artificial Colours, Ajinomoto

Khader warned that strict action would be taken against hotels and food manufacturers found using Ajinomoto, harmful chemicals, or artificial food colours in food preparation. He also said the government is considering establishing high-end food testing laboratories under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to ensure faster analysis of food samples.

Khader Criticises BJP MLA Over Remarks Against Rahul Gandhi

Commenting on recent political developments, Khader criticised BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna for his alleged remarks against Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and his family.

He described the remarks as "cheap" and said the MLA was "not equal to even Rahul Gandhi’s little toe." Khader alleged that such statements were a blot on the culture and traditions of coastal Karnataka and sarcastically remarked that the MLA appeared to have "Taliban DNA."

The press conference was also attended by Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamata Gatti, Congress leaders M.S. Mohammed, K.K. Shahul Hameed, Appi, and others.