Telangana State Secretariat, [Insert Location] – Finance and Health Minister Harish Rao, along with senior officials from all departments and District Medical Officers (DMOs), conducted a comprehensive review at the Telangana State Secretariat on Thursday. The primary objective of the review was to assess the state’s Health Department’s preparedness and devise measures to ensure public health protection during the ongoing incessant rains.
Participating in the review through a video conference were Health Secretary Rizvi, DME Ramesh Reddy, DH Srinivas Rao, CM OSD Gangadhar, Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner Ajay Kumar, AYUSH Director Harichandana, as well as Superintendents from all District Hospitals and Medical Officers representing various districts.
During the meeting, Minister Harish Rao issued crucial directives to the Health Department, emphasizing the utmost importance of vigilance and uninterrupted provision of medical services during these challenging weather conditions. He called upon the medical staff, starting from sub-centers up to major hospitals in Hyderabad, to be fully prepared and dedicated to ensuring that no citizen faces inconvenience.
With regard to the provision of emergency medical services in the agency areas, Minister Harish Rao informed that, as per the orders of Chief Minister KCR, the government is prepared to deploy helicopter services if necessary.
In a significant step to enhance accessibility and availability of medical services, a 24×7 State Level Command Control Center has been established, reachable at 040-24651119. Furthermore, district medical officers have been directed to set up call centers at the district level to create awareness among the public about the available medical services.
Minister Harish Rao also emphasized the need for fully utilizing the 108 and 102 vehicle services, along with the Amma Odi vehicle services, for efficiently transporting pregnant women to hospitals and back to their homes. He stressed the importance of utilizing data from the KCR kit to determine the delivery dates of pregnant women, thus ensuring timely and appropriate medical care.
Special attention was underscored for the medical needs of pregnant women and dialysis patients, with Minister Harish Rao asserting that their wellbeing should be a top priority.
Addressing the issue of contaminated food items causing distress to the public, the Minister stressed the significance of maintaining food quality and ordered visits by ANMs and Medical Officers to student SC, ST, BC, and Minority residential schools and colleges in their respective jurisdictions. Early detection, testing, and prompt treatment measures were urged to be implemented.
Superintendent was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring cleanliness in hospitals, wards, and surrounding areas.Doctors were urged to maintain punctuality, communicate effectively with patients, and provide quality medical services.
The Minister called for special arrangements to be made for emergency medical services at district, area, CHC, and MCH hospitals.
In an effort to prevent medical supply shortages, Minister Harish Rao urged PHCs to stock medicines for snake bites and scorpion bites, emphasizing that negligence in this matter would not be tolerated.
Regarding weather-related challenges, the Health Department was urged to be fully prepared and follow instructions from the Meteorological Department. Coordination with Panchayat Raj, Municipal, and other departments was deemed essential to ensure prompt and quality medical services to the public.
In discussions with Medical Officers from respective districts, measures to be implemented under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) were discussed. Special focus was laid on the health of people residing in low-lying areas, with precautionary measures in place to prevent the spread of seasonal diseases. Basti dawakhanas were urged to operate at full capacity, while tests were recommended to be conducted through Telangana diagnostic centers for immediate medical services.
Concluding the meeting, Finance and Health Minister Harish Rao reiterated the importance of collective efforts to safeguard public health during the challenging period of incessant rains. The review has provided valuable insights and directives for the Health Department’s preparedness and response to the current weather situation.
