Karnataka govt signs MoU with Azim Premji Foundation to build 1,000-bed charitable transplant hospital in Bengaluru

“The harvesting of organs and transplantation is an expensive affair, and it should be provided in a cost-effective manner. This may be the first time in India that such a programme has been initiated,” Siddaramaiah said at the signing of the MOU on Saturday.

“In the coming days, the Azim Premji Foundation will dedicate over ₹ 1,000 crore for this programme. We are providing 10 acres of land on the premises of the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Chest Diseases on lease for 99 years. This agreement has been signed as well,” he said.

Premji, the founder of the soaps-to-software major Wipro Ltd, could not attend the MOU signing due to ill health but conveyed his wishes, Siddaramaiah said.

Siddaramaiah appreciated the contributions of the Azim Premji Foundation to the health and education sectors in Karnataka. “They have been involved in a big way for over 25 years in the field of education and health. In 2021, they came forward to provide ₹1,500 crore for teacher training and improving school education. In 2024, they provided ₹1000 crore for providing eggs to 55 lakh school students from LKG to 10th standard. They provide eggs four days a week,” he said.

The Foundation also funds ₹30,000 per annum for girl students from government colleges who pursue higher education under the Deepika scholarship programme.

Behar said that the Foundation believes public systems should be strengthened. “Our main goal should be to protect the health of our people,” he said, identifying Karnataka as one of the top three progressive states in the country.