Karnataka budget focuses on maternal health, infrastructure upgrade and digital health systems

The Karnataka government announced a series of initiatives in the 2026–27 budget to improve healthcare. These include expanding specialized care, strengthening hospital infrastructure, and improving digital health systems. The government aims to reduce maternal deaths through its 'Mission Zero Preventable Maternal Death Initiative', which has already resulted in a 24% reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR). Additionally, the budget allocates funds for infrastructure development, expansion of STEMI program, and home-based palliative care services. The government also plans to increase access to quality treatment under the AB-ArK scheme by revising package rates and expanding services for vulnerable groups.