Ensure that people receive quality healthcare services locally: Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha

Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha has called for community health centres, area hospitals and district hospitals to be developed into full-fledged medical facilities capable of performing major surgeries. He said district and area hospitals have the potential to provide quality healthcare locally, on par with teaching hospitals. The minister noted that 607 assistant professor posts have been filled in teaching hospitals, while 1,616 specialist doctors have been recruited for district and area hospitals and community health centres. He said the government is also providing the required doctors, staff, infrastructure and medical equipment. He reviewed the performance, healthcare services, infrastructure, human resources and equipment of government hospitals under the Directorate of Secondary Health Care in Hyderabad.

The minister directed officials to stop referring patients to higher-level hospitals for minor health issues and to refer them only when medically necessary. In emergency cases, the receiving hospital should be informed in advance and coordination should be maintained with its doctors, he said. Unnecessary referrals place an additional burden on patients and increase pressure on tertiary hospitals. The minister also instructed District Coordinators of Health Services to prepare proposals for new CT scanners and other medical and diagnostic equipment wherever required. He stressed that such proposals must include clear justification based on patient numbers, actual need, existing services and utilisation capacity.