Karnataka healthcare accountability reforms

The Karnataka government has introduced new measures to improve transparency and accountability within the state healthcare system. To ensure officials remain at their designated headquarters, the government is launching a geofencing-based night-time attendance system via the ‘Kartavya’ mobile application.

Effective November 1, 2026, a pilot program will require doctors at taluk hospitals and Primary Health Centres to log their attendance through the app after 9 pm daily. This initiative follows findings by the Upa Lokayukta that some employees were managing administrative work from distant locations, causing service delays. The system is expected to eventually include contract and outsourced personnel, with salary payments linked to app-generated reports starting in January 2027.

In addition to attendance monitoring, new regulations will require hospitals to provide detailed, itemized billing to patients. This includes disclosing both the purchase price and the maximum retail price (MRP) for medicines, medical equipment, stents, and disposable supplies. Hospitals must also prominently display official treatment rate lists in public areas and maintain procurement records for at least three years for inspection.