The medical and health department in the state witnessed unexpected growth in all terms. During the past decade, the total number of beds in government hospitals increased from 17,000 to 34,000. The oxygen beds which were 1,400 have been increased to 34,000. The dialysis patient beds were increased from 50 to 1,100 and dialysis centres from three to 102 centres. The ICU centres rose to 80 from a mere five.
The state government that accorded top priority to infrastructure and expansion of medical services ensured that neonatal centres are set up at 65 places from 18 places in the state. Children ICUs were increased from two to 35 and 53 blood banks were set up which were once just 18. A total of child and women protection centres were set up at 28 places against the six in the past. As a result of the efforts of the state government, the institutional deliveries doubled from 30 per cent to 70 per cent now.
The state government health budget is Rs. 3,532 per capita which was just Rs 925 in the past. Having taken notice of the massive development of the medical and health sector, the Niti Aayog, a central government agency accorded the third rank to Telangana state in health sector. It may be noted that the state government has been setting up new medical colleges in every district headquarters. The govt. medical colleges that were 5 in 2014 have increased to 26 now. The seats in MBBS and PG courses saw a proportionate increase as well.
The state government is also setting up a multi-specialty hospital in each district and four super-specialty hospitals on four corners of Hyderabad city. Accordingly, massive recruitment of medical and para-medical staff is underway. Citizens who were once scared to go to a government hospital due to corruption, negligence of employees and lack of facilities are queueing up now.
Today is Doctors’ Day.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao