Telangana Govt ready to use helicopters for medical emergencies, says Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: Telangana Finance and Health Minister Harish Rao on Thursday has said that the Telangana Government is ready to use helicopter services in the event of a medical emergency due to heavy rains in the State.,

Harish, along with senior officials and district medical officers, held a review meeting at the Telangana State Secretariat regarding the preparedness of the health department and measures to be taken for public health protection in the wake of incessant rains in the State.

"Medical staff, from the zonal levels to main hospitals in Hyderabad, should be fully prepared and ensure that no one is inconvenienced. According to Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's (KCR) orders, the government is ready to use helicopter services if necessary to provide emergency medical services to the people in agency areas.

"A 24×7 State Level Command Control Center 040-24651119 has been set up at the State level to provide continuous medical services to the people. Similarly, district medical officers have been ordered to set up a call center in every district. People should be widely aware of this. 108 and 102 vehicle services should be fully utilised. Based on the data of KCR kits, the delivery date of pregnant women should be known in advance and they should be provided with necessary medical services," he added.

Focusing on children, Harish Rao said, "People get into trouble by consuming contaminated food. Focus on food quality. Students' hostels, SC, ST, BC, minority hostels should be visited by medical officers in their respective jurisdictions. Early detection, testing and treatment should be done. Everyone should be made aware of cleanliness."

"Medicines for snake and scorpion bites must be kept available at the PHC level. Action will be taken if you are negligent in this matter. Officers should be fully prepared to provide medical services in those areas following the instructions provided by the meteorological department," he explained.

Addressing Medical officers falling under Hyderabad city limits, Harish said, "Special attention should be paid to the health of people in low-lying areas. Precaution is being advised to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases. Basti dispensaries should work at full capacity, tests should be conducted through Telangana diagnostic centers and medical services should be provided immediately."