Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has named the proposed second government medical college in the state capital as the K Karunakaran Memorial Medical College, to be established by integrating the General Hospital and Thycaud Hospital in the state capital.

The state has also sought the Centre's approval to launch the new medical college in time for admissions in the current academic year. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has urged the Union government to expedite the clearance process so that the institution can begin functioning without delay.

The proposal to operationalise the second medical college in Thiruvananthapuram was announced in the 2026-27 Kerala Budget presented by Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who also holds the finance portfolio. The budget outlined the UDF government's plans to strengthen government medical colleges in Kasaragod, Idukki, Wayanad and Manjeri, while allocating Rs 100 crore for setting up a new medical college at Haripad in Alappuzha.

The proposed K. Karunakaran Memorial Medical College is expected to expand medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the capital district by bringing the existing facilities of the General Hospital and Thycaud Hospital under a single teaching institution, subject to approval from the Centre.