Nearly three years since its announcement, the proposed Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology branch in Belagavi has seen no progress, despite having received budgetary allocation and administrative approval.
Allocated ₹50 crore in the 2022–23 budget, the plan was to build the cancer care unit on four acres near the Primary Health Centre in Vadagaon. The Health Department Commissioner had initially identified this site during a 2022 visit. However, by September that year, the district administration stated that hospital authorities favored constructing the unit within the BIMS Hospital campus instead—a proposal that later secured official approval.
Belagavi (South) MLA Abhay Patil, who has strongly advocated for the facility in his constituency, continues to push for its development. Yet, despite approvals and funding, the project remains on hold with no construction activity.
District-in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged the holdup, assuring the public that he would review the matter and work toward initiating the project soon.
The prolonged delay of such a vital healthcare facility has sparked concern, especially as cancer cases rise in North Karnataka, where specialized oncology services remain scarce.
Public health advocates and residents are now urging swift action to ensure the long-promised Kidwai unit finally moves forward.
