Telangana created 30,000 jobs in health department says Harish Rao, unveils 10-year progress report

HYDERABAD: Finance and Health Minister Harish Rao has said that the health department has created 30,000 jobs in the past nine years, out of which 22,600 posts were filled and the rest will be filled in the coming months.

The Minister said this after unveiling the 10-year progress report of the Telangana Health Department at a ceremony on Monday. He also extended a warm welcome to the 310 pharmacists who had secured coveted government positions and joined the ranks of the department. Underscoring the indispensable role pharmacists play in ensuring the availability of medicines to patients, he said that public servants had a unique opportunity to serve the community.

“Over the past nine years over 22,600 positions have been filled within the medical department, with ongoing efforts to appoint an additional 7,291 posts,” he said. Harish Rao highlighted the remarkable progress Telangana made in healthcare, moving from the eleventh rank in the NITI Aayog health index in 2014 to an impressive third rank, with an ambition to secure the top position. He attributed this success to the collective efforts of the dedicated medical staff.

TS largest spender on health

He also highlighted the substantial budget allocation of Rs 12,364 crores and a per capita medical treatment expenditure of Rs 3,532, positioning Telangana as the third-largest spender in the country in medical care.

“Telangana’s medical infrastructure is well-prepared to address any health emergency, boasting 50,000 beds and a comprehensive network of healthcare facilities at the village, urban, mandal, and constituency levels. Notable projects, such as Warangal Health City and the expansion of NIMS, are underway to further bolster healthcare services,” the health minister said.

Organ transplant centre in Gandhi

Harish Rao pointed out that Telangana ranked number one in organ transplants. “We have done 100 kidney transplant surgeries at NIMS Hospital within six months. Plans are underway to establish an organ transplant center at Gandhi Hospital’s eighth floor, ensuring accessibility for patients across the nation,” he said.

The Minister also revealed upcoming initiatives, including the introduction of air ambulances to provide emergency services throughout the state, a service previously reserved for the affluent. He praised a team of British Indian doctors from Telangana conducting free heart operations for children at NIMS, led by Dr Arun.