KCR laid the foundation for a new block at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) built at a cost of Rs 1,571 crore.
Published Jun 14, 2023 | 5:08 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2023 | 1:23 PM
AIMIM chief and MP from Hyderabad, Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the state government for ignoring Osmania General Hospital. (Supplied)
Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao announced on Wednesday, 14 June, that the state government was enhancing the Health Department’s capabilities by allocating a higher budget to improve public health and effectively handle potential emergencies like Covid-19.
During the foundation-laying ceremony for a new block at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), he highlighted the significant increase in the health sector budget over the years.
In 2014, the budget allocation for health was ₹2,100 crore, but surpassed ₹12,360 crore for the year 2023-24, he said.
Recalling his interaction with a group of entomologists a few years ago, he quoted them as having told him that infectious diseases like Covid-19 might resurface in the future.
“They told me that losses would be minimal where health systems were strong. Many people would die and the losses would be heavy where the health system was weak. We can understand the importance of the health department from this,” he said.
“Since then, we have been strengthening this department by substantially increasing the budget allocation after holding extensive discussions with the health minister and department officials to make the Health Department meet any emergency or any kind of eventuality,” he said.
KCR inaugurated the construction of a new block called ‘Dashabdi’ at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Hospital in Hyderabad.
This new block, built at a cost of Rs 1,571 crore, will feature 42 super speciality departments, including heart, kidney, liver, cancer care, emergency and trauma care, and various orthopaedic specialities.
Once completed, the ‘Dashabdi’ block will provide an additional 2,000 beds, expanding the capacity of NIMS Hospital to 4,000 beds, making it one of the largest hospitals in India. The construction of this new block aims to enhance healthcare services and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure to cater to the growing medical needs of the region.
“We are undertaking a significant expansion in bed capacity, increasing it from 17,000 to 50,000. Our aim is to enhance healthcare infrastructure and ensure preparedness to address various challenges, including recent issues such as the locust problem. We want to assure the public that we have implemented adequate measures to tackle these challenges effectively.” KCR said.
Chief Minister also launched KCR Nutrition Kit program at NIMS Hospital aimed at providing nutrition kits to ensure essential nutrition for individuals. As part of this program, the Chief Minister personally distributed nutrition kits to six pregnant women, emphasising the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy for the health and well-being of both the mother and the child.
Meanwhile Health Minister T Harish Rao said, “The contributions of Osmania and Gandhi hospitals have been invaluable, and their significance cannot be overstated. It is important to acknowledge the past neglect of the health department and the need for improvements. However, we are now witnessing rapid progress in the healthcare sector. The development of Warangal Health City and the establishment of super speciality hospitals exemplify the efforts being made to enhance healthcare infrastructure and services. .”
Minister Harish Rao added, “Under the visionary leadership of KCR, Telangana has witnessed remarkable progress in the establishment of medical colleges across various districts. This strategic step aims to ensure that the children of Telangana have access to quality medical education within the state and are not compelled to seek education abroad. The state’s top ranking in terms of MBBS and PG medical seats is a testament to the government’s dedication and efforts in expanding educational opportunities in the field of medicine. ”
“Through the establishment of village clinics and basti davakhanas, we have made healthcare more accessible to the people,” he said.
Health Day was observed as part of the ongoing 21-day Telangana Formation Day celebrations, and Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao shared through a video presentation the progress achieved in the healthcare sector under the leadership of KCR.
The video showcased the growth accomplished by Telangana’s healthcare system in a mere nine years.
It highlighted achievements like the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the establishment of new hospitals and medical colleges, and the implementation of innovative programs such as Basti Dawakhanas, Aarogya Mahila clinics, and Telangana Diagnostic Centres.
The launch of Kanti Velugu, recognised as the world’s largest free eye screening programme, was also emphasised, along with the state’s dedicated focus on women and child-centric wellness initiatives.
These efforts have contributed to a significant reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates, setting an exemplary benchmark for other regions across the country.
స్వరాష్ట్రంలో తొమ్మిదేండ్ల అనతి కాలంలో తెలంగాణ వైద్యారోగ్య రంగం సాధించిన అద్భుత ప్రగతి ఇది
సీఎం కేసీఆర్ మార్గ నిర్దేశంలో దేశానికి రోల్ మోడల్ గా మారిన ఆరోగ్య తెలంగాణ మోడల్ మనది
దశాబ్ది ఉత్సవాల శుభాకాంక్షలు#తెలంగాణదశాబ్దిఉత్సవాలు #TelanganaTurns10 pic.twitter.com/2p6hM2Iy51
— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) June 14, 2023
Meanwhile, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi criticised the Telangana government for ignoring Osmania General Hospital.
“K Chandrashekar Rao is laying the foundation stone for the extension of NIMS at the cost of ₹1,571 crore. I have been continuously demanding Osmania Hospital’s urgently-needed upgradation and new building. Why this neglect towards the needs of Hyderabadis?” asked Owaisi in a statement on Wednesday.
He said that no progress had been made despite his meeting last year in May with Akbaruddin Owaisi, engineers, T Harish Rao, and other ministers. This was blatant injustice to the people of the Hyderabad constituency, he said.
“It is also a grave disservice to doctors, medical students & people of Telangana who come to Hyderabad for treatment. The dilapidated building doesn’t serve the needs of a modern hospital,” said Owaisi.
He added that the restoration of the old OGH building and construction was estimated to be ₹560 crore.
“This amount is peanuts for a ‘prosperous’ state government that seems to have funds for everything in the world. What’s the use of public money if it’s not helping the poorest get life-saving healthcare? What other reason is there for the delay in starting work on Osmania?” asked Owaisi.
.@TelanganaCMO is laying the foundation stone for extension of NIMS at the cost of ₹1571 cr. I have been continuously demanding Osmania Hospital’s urgently needed upgradation & new building. Why this neglect towards the needs of Hyderabadis? Despite my meeting last year in May… pic.twitter.com/0WBakrXBvl
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) June 13, 2023
