Telangana achieves 72.8 per cent institutional deliveries in July

HYDERABAD: In a historic milestone, Telangana achieved a record-breaking 72.8 per cent Government hospital deliveries in July. Finance and Health Minister T Harish Rao attributed this achievement to the dedicated staff of the Medical and Health Department.

Conducting an exhaustive review of the Health Department's health programmes and performance, Minister Harish Rao, along with Health Secretary Rizvi, district medical officers, and program officers, evaluated the implementation and impact of various health initiatives on Thursday.

Harish Rao hailed this achievement as an example of the Health Department's progress under the visionary guidance of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR). He underlined that the percentage of institutional deliveries surged from a mere 30 per cent before the formation of the State and rose to a substantial 73 per cent, signifying the department's growth.

Pointing to the increased reliance on Government hospitals for deliveries, Harish Rao said that government hospitals in Narayanpet district recorded an outstanding 86.9 per cent delivery rate, closely followed by Medak at 83.5 percent and Jogulamba Gadwal at 81.1 per cent.

He emphasised the need to enhance performance in Hanmakonda, Mahabubabad, and Kamareddy districts, urging medical officers to focus on areas where registration fell below the state average.

The Minister underscored the significance of the newly established typhoid scanning missions in Government hospitals, particularly for pregnant women. A total of 32,000 scans were conducted through 56 Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies (TIFA) across 43 hospitals, furthering the Government's mission of providing free examinations and treatments to pregnant women.

The Health Minister highlighted that a substantial sum of 1.6 crore was allocated as a team-based incentive for medical staff to encourage deliveries in Government hospitals. He also stressed the importance of early breastfeeding and counseling on normal deliveries.

He reiterated KCR's commitment to comprehensive healthcare for women, exemplified through the ‘Arogya Mahila’ programme. He directed district medical officers to elucidate the program during district and mandal mahila samakhya meetings.

Recognising the significance of vaccination, Minister Harish Rao applauded the districts of Karimnagar, Medak, and Bhadradri Kothagudem for their exemplary performance, while urging improved vaccination rates in Hanmakonda, Manchiryala, and Khammam districts.

In the quest for enhanced healthcare, Harish Rao announced the imminent opening of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) in Huzurabad Area Hospital, New Born Stabilisation Units (NBSUs) in Patancheru, Huzur Nagar, the community health centre at Maktal, Dubbaka, Ghatkesar, Chityala, and Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) in Eturnagaram and Amrabad community health centres within few days.

The Minister emphasised the significance of the Center of Excellence at Niloufer Hospital, linked with 18 SNCUs across the state, aiming to provide 24-hour services and prioritise newborn baby healthcare.

He highlighted the importance of palliative care services and expedited the completion of the cath lab at Nizamabad and Siddipet Government hospitals. Furthermore, he directed the rapid provision of 134 test diagnostics within 24 hours.

Pledging to extend quality healthcare to rural areas, Harish Rao acknowledged the presence of over 3,000 ‘Palle Dawakhanas’. He underscored the need for maintaining a minimum outpatient (OP) rate of 25 and attaining the first position in the National Quality Assurance Programme.

In light of changing weather conditions, Harish Rao called for preparedness against seasonal diseases. He urged collaborative efforts with the Panchayat Raj and Municipal Departments to coordinate necessary measures. He assured the public that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing timely and quality health services to all in need.