Vijayanagara Institute of Medical Sciences

Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) is a medical college and hospital located in Vijayanagara, Bellary district, Karnataka, India. It was established in 1961 and is affiliated with the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. The institute is known for its undergraduate and postgraduate medical programs.

The campus of VIMS is situated in the former Allipur Jail Buildings, which housed several Indian freedom fighters during the independence movement. In 1958, the government handed over the old jail buildings and surrounding area, covering 173 acres, to start the Medical College in Bellary. To address the shortcomings, the Medical College was made an autonomous institution in 1996.

The Medical College Hospital, with a bed strength of 680, was commissioned in 1966. The District Hospital, with a bed strength of 210, is located in the heart of the city and provides specialized care for pediatrics, gynecology, and postpartum cases. The Government Wellesly TB & Chest Diseases Hospital, with a bed strength of 280, was started in 1929. Additionally, an Urban Health Center was constructed in 1999 to provide outpatient care to around 120 to 140 patients daily.

The undergraduate MBBS course at VIMS was recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 1977. However, due to staff shortages and infrastructure issues, the MCI threatened to de-recognize the course in 1997. Immediate measures were taken to address these concerns, and the MCI agreed to continue the recognition of the undergraduate courses. Postgraduate courses in various subjects were also started with the permission of the MCI in 1980.

VIMS offers postgraduate courses in 15 subjects, with a total of 53 seats available. These include Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology, Preventive and Social Medicine, Anesthesia, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT, General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Radiology.

Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences continues to provide quality medical education and healthcare services to the community, contributing to the overall development of healthcare in the region.