Hyderabad: Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha directed officials to implement the Telangana hospitals upgrade plan in line with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).
He issued the directive during a review meeting at the Secretariat on Friday. The meeting focused on strengthening secondary healthcare systems. It followed the restructuring of Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad into the Directorate of Secondary Health Care.
Senior officials reviewed steps to align hospitals with IPHS norms. They discussed staffing, infrastructure, diagnostics, equipment, and drug supply. The Minister said the Telangana hospitals upgrade would bring treatment closer to patients’ homes.
He stressed the need to strengthen Community Health Centres, Area Hospitals, and District Hospitals. Moreover, he directed officials to strictly follow IPHS norms during staff redeployment. He also reviewed redistribution of posts after several hospitals were upgraded into teaching institutions.
Telangana hospitals upgrade drives staff redistribution
Officials said around 30 hospitals were converted into teaching hospitals linked to medical colleges. As a result, authorities planned to reallocate sanctioned posts to other facilities. The Minister noted that 12,649 posts had been filled in the past two years. He emphasised efficient use of doctors and staff.
Further, Damodar ordered strict attendance monitoring and mandatory weekly field visits. He warned that authorities would act against absentee staff. In addition, he directed that patients discharged from tertiary hospitals such as NIMS, Osmania General Hospital, Gandhi Hospital, and MGM Hospital should receive follow-up care at nearby centres.
This step aimed to reduce travel costs and improve trust in public healthcare. Experts stressed the need for complete healthcare teams and proper infrastructure. The Minister also reviewed inspection reports on government and private hospitals. He instructed officials to act on recommendations and improve basic facilities.
Additionally, he called for strict action against illegal gender determination tests. He directed officials to ensure summer facilities such as water supply, cooling systems, and fire safety measures.
