The political machinery in Telangana sprang into action on Monday, 3 July, to address the construction of the new building for OGH.
Published Jul 03, 2023 | 9:49 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 03, 2023 | 9:50 PM
A review meeting was held at the State Secretariat, where public representatives expressed unanimous support for the construction of a new building for Osmania Government Hospital. (Supplied)
In response to the growing demand from students, alumni, and citizens of Telangana, the political machinery in the state sprang into action on Monday, 3 July, to address the construction of the new building for Osmania General Hospital (OGH).
Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan visited OGH on Monday and urged the state government to enhance the hospital’s infrastructure and treatment facilities.
Meanwhile, the Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao convened a meeting with MLAs, MPs, and concerned officials to devise a roadmap for the construction of the new building.
Osmania General Hospital holds a prominent position as one of the oldest super-speciality hospitals in the city.
It is sought after by patients from across the state, as well as from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The hospital also plays a crucial role in handling emergency cases within the city and providing medical care to prisoners in need. Additionally, it serves as a referral centre for patients requiring complex surgeries.
However, a significant turning point came in July 2020, when a devastating flood forced the closure of the hospital’s century-old building.
Subsequently, all patients were relocated to the newly-constructed Quli Qutb Shah block.
Unfortunately, the facilities in the new block are limited and the number of beds is insufficient compared to the previous capacity.
Tamilisai, a qualified medical doctor, made a surprise visit to OGH on Monday and interacted with both the patients and the doctors and paramedical staff. She expressed her concern regarding the quality of facilities and the issue of limited space.
She also said that she had raised these concerns with Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and the Health Department on multiple occasions.
Tamilisai shared that she received numerous appeals from both OGH medical students and the general public regarding the horrible condition of the hospital. She also highlighted that the issue was raised during a recent OGH alumni meeting.
She urged the state government to make alternative arrangements before any further legal hurdles arise.
She specifically mentioned the unhygienic conditions of the hospital toilets, washrooms, the roof ceiling in the old building, and inadequate ventilation.
During her visit, the governor observed the post-operative ward and general ward, both of which she described as not in a good state.
The Governor clarified that her intention was not to engage in a blame game, but rather to ensure that the poor and needy patients receive the best possible treatment facilities as it is their only resort to get treatment.
My visit was planned in response to several social media requests from patients,Citizens,Junior Drs,Alumnis of OGH #SaveOsmaniaGH
Their Voice unheard since 2015 posing threats to lives of patients & doctors & Medicos due to falling roofs etc.Thank Judiciary for stepping in. pic.twitter.com/OYjACnCmcA— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@DrTamilisai4BJP) July 3, 2023
In a meeting with health officials and public representatives, the Health Department said that the unanimous opinion of public representatives regarding the construction of a new building for Osmania Government Hospital had been obtained.
A review meeting was held at the state secretariat, where public representatives expressed unanimous support for the construction of a new building for OGH.
Attended by government officials and public representatives, the meeting focused on addressing the pressing healthcare requirements of the people, even if it meant demolishing the existing structures.
Health Minister Harish Rao assured that the government would thoroughly examine the opinion expressed in the meeting and promptly submit an affidavit to the high court, informing them of the decision.
Once the court grants permission, the construction of the new building will commence without delay.
Expressing the government’s sincerity in constructing a new facility for Osmania, minister Harish Rao recalled Chief Minister KCR’s visit to the hospital in 2015, when he ordered the construction of a modern facility.
However, the process faced a setback when the high court granted a stay order due to objections raised against demolishing the existing structure.
An expert committee from the archaeology department of IIT Hyderabad, appointed by the high court, further supported the need for a new structure by declaring that the current building does not meet the functional requirements of the hospital.
Following the recent court ruling, a meeting was held with public representatives from the hospital’s vicinity to gather their valuable opinions.
Harish Rao expressed satisfaction as all the public representatives unanimously agreed to the construction of the new building.
The review meeting was attended by ministers Mahmood Ali and Talasani Srinivas Yadav, Member of Parliament Asaduddin Owaisi, as well as Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Akbaruddin, Dana Nagender, Gopinath, Zafar Hussain, and Kausar Moinuddin. Health Secretary Rizvi, Chief Minister’s Office Special Duty (CM OSD) Gangadhar, TSMSIDC Chairman Errolla Srinivas, ENC Ganapathy Reddy, Osmania Hospital Superintendent Nagendra, and other officials.
