Telangana fast-emerging as healthcare, medical education hub: Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: Telangana is rapidly emerging as a hub for quality healthcare services and medical education, Minister for Finance and Health T Harish Rao has said. Ranked among the top three states in the country's healthcare field, Telangana aims to reach the zenith by further expanding medical infrastructure and promoting medical education, the Minister informed.

During a monthly review of teaching hospitals held on Friday, Harish Rao expressed his satisfaction with the significant progress achieved in the healthcare sector. He said that the state added eight more medical colleges during the past year and was all set to establish nine more in the coming year with the capacity of 100 MBBS seats each.

He said that Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) envisioned Telangana as the country's premier destination for medical education. “KCR’s goal is to attract students who will otherwise seek education abroad and provide them with access to quality super specialty medical education,” he added.

Harish Rao said that the government was committed to granting more medical colleges, doctor posts and necessary medical infrastructure to achieve this objective. In consonance with the Chief Minister’s vision, the Finance and Health Minister has chalked out an action plan to further enhance the quality of medical services.

A total of 65 professors, 210 associate professors, and 1061 assistant professors have been appointed. Appointment orders for 1,069 assistant professors will be handed over on May 22, 2023. It was decided to curb ragging and ensure discipline among MBBS students. Additionally, activities such as yoga and pranayama to relieve mental stress and enhance students' well-being will be encouraged.

Activities such as yoga and pranayama will also be encouraged to relieve mental stress and enhance students' well-being

The services of 800 Post Graduate Senior Residents allocated to Medical Colleges and Vaidya Vidhana Parishad main hospitals in the districts will be maximised. Telangana students who have completed MBBS abroad have been given postings for one-year internships.

Superintendents will be held responsible for managing clinical hospitals. Round-the-clock services will be provided, particularly in the emergency department, Referrals will be minimised, and the focus will be on providing specialised services within the district.

There will be a drastic reduction in C-sections and a promotion of first-hour breastfeeding. For improved maternal and Infant healthcare, regular check-ups for pregnant women will be taken up. The aim is to enhance orthopedic services at district hospitals to alleviate the load on specialized hospitals such as Gandhi and Osmania hospitals.

Harish Rao stressed the need to adhere to norms set by the National Medical Commission (NMC) to ensure the smooth functioning of medical colleges.