Published Aug 21, 2023 | 8:11 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2023 | 8:11 AM
Different inauguration function in Telangana. (Supplied)
In the run-up to the state Assembly elections scheduled for year-end, the Telangana government on Sunday, 20 August, inaugurated four major health-related facilities.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Suryapet Government Medical College, which started functioning earlier this year.
Finance and Health Minister T Harish Rao unveiled 33 neonatal ambulances at Gandhi Hospital along with the nation’s first 200-bed Super Specialty Mother and Child Health (MCH) Hospital and Centralised Emergency Response Centre in Hyderabad.
Harish Rao inaugurated the Super Specialty MCH Hospital along with the neonatal Ambulances — one for each district — to ensure immediate medical attention for newborns.
At an investment of ₹52 crore, the hospital is poised to provide comprehensive medical services to mothers and babies, focusing on a wide range of health needs.
“This is in line with the directives of Chief Minister KCR, who sanctioned the establishment of three Mother and Child Care Super Specialty Hospitals across the state.
“These hospitals, including the newly-inaugurated facility at Gandhi Hospital, will collectively offer 600 beds dedicated to maternal and child health services, centralising care and expertise,” said Harish Rao.
He added that the Super Specialty MCH hospitals would serve as hubs of excellence, catering to various medical needs, from childbirth-related issues to intricate surgical interventions.
The facilities are equipped with cutting-edge resources, including dialysis centres for pregnant women who require immediate care, specialised treatments for mothers and babies with complex conditions, and advanced medical equipment like neonatal ventilators and heart testing machines.
“The neonatal ambulance is specially designed and modified to handle and transport newborn babies to the hospitals or to home with utmost safety and comfort. Neonatal ambulances are well organised with the necessary medical equipment such as radiant warmers, resuscitation systems, ventilators, and similar phototherapy devices,” said the Health Department in a statement.
“The ambulances, designed with modern amenities underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring timely and effective medical assistance for infants in emergencies,” Harish Rao said.
According to the Health Department, the objective behind the launch of these ambulances is to decrease the neonatal mortality rate and enhance the quality of care during the referral of babies to neonatal ambulances.
The annual project cost for the 33 neonatal ambulances is estimated at ₹8.07 crore.
Harish Rao inaugurated the new Centralised Emergency Response Center (ERC) at the Indian Institute of Health and Family Welfare office in Vengal Rao Nagar in Hyderabad.
The health minister said that the ERC held a pivotal role in streamlining and optimising emergency medical services for the citizens of Telangana.
The ERC would operate as a centralised call centre, effectively amalgamating the functions of various health helplines, namely 108, 102, and 104.
Harish Rao highlighted the key objectives and features of the ERC:
The installation of GPS devices in emergency vehicles facilitates real-time monitoring and management.
Advanced software to display nearby ambulances on the computer screen. And upon receiving calls, swift response and coordination would be ensured.
Comprehensive call management, performance monitoring, and robust reporting mechanisms.
Seamless provision of round-the-clock transport and treatment for patients in emergencies.
Timely and efficient patient transportation to hospitals, supported by the prompt response of the 108 services.
Delivery of Amma Odi services via the 102 helpline, catering specifically to pregnant women and infants.
Medical information, advice, and suggestions are available through the 104 helpline.
“The 108 vehicle services, a flagship initiative, has proven to be a lifeline for citizens during emergencies. The government’s commitment to aiding people in their time of need is evident through the availability of 108 ambulances and 102 Amma Odi vehicles,” said Harish Rao.
The health minister said that 776 vehicles of these types were operational, adding that the chief minister recently inaugurated an additional fleet of 466 vehicles, comprising 204 ambulances and 228 Amma Odi vehicles.
He said that a total of 44.57 lakh 57 people received assistance from these ambulances in the past eight years.
Harish Rao said that Telangana’s dedication to meeting international healthcare standards was evident in the deployment of one ambulance for every 75,000 people, surpassing the World Health Organisation’s recommendation of one ambulance per lakh of population.
The integration of technology has further reduced the response time of ambulances to an average of 15 minutes, he claimed.
Chief Minister KCR on Sunday inaugurated the Suryapet Government Medical College building.
The hospital, initially an area hospital, was converted into the government general hospital and eventually saw the establishment of the government medical college.
The medical college hospital, established in a 20-acre plot, has been built on a budget of ₹156 crore. The hostel of the medical college is designed to accommodate up to 900 medical students.
