Shortage of doctors, staff plaguing ‘upgraded’ hospital in RR dist

The upgraded government hospitals in Ranga Reddy district, despite the elevation in their status, are grappling with a critical lack of facilities and medical staff. While nine hospitals have been upgraded with the promise of better services, the situation on the ground remains grim with patients suffering due to inadequate resources and shortage of doctors plaguing them.
Across these hospitals, which should collectively employ 333 staff, only 236 positions have so far been filled.
Even though community health centres were upgraded to area hospitals, basic facilities remain insufficient. Construction of new hospital buildings, although sanctioned, has been stalled for over a year in several areas. In Chevella, the hospital construction work sanctioned at a cost of Rs 17.50 crore has not even begun, leaving the community without the promised 100-bed facility.
Pregnant women in the district are facing particular difficulties due to the unavailability of gynecologists and scanning machines.
As a result, they are forced to seek services in private hospitals in Hyderabad. In many hospitals, the ultrasound machines, supplied decades ago, are on the blink, while new machines sit unused due to a lack of trained radiologists. The lack of gynecologists has led to a drastic reduction in normal deliveries, further burdening private hospitals.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, an oxygen plant worth Rs 80 lakh was installed at Chevella hospital by Bharat Dynamic Limited (BDL) to address the oxygen shortage. However, this plant has remained unused, and equipment like the oxygen generator is in bad shape due to lack of maintenance and power supply issues. Additionally, recent voltage fluctuations caused a short circuit at the dialysis centre, damaging the wiring. The Shadnagar Community Hospital, upgraded to a 100-bed facility, also faces issues. While construction began with a sanctioned budget of Rs 5 crores, the work has stalled due to non-payment to contractors. The hospital, currently operating with only half the required staff, struggles with shortages of essential medical personnel and equipment, including CT scan and MRI machines.
In Amanagal, the Community Health Centre, upgraded to a 30-bed facility, operates from a temporary building while construction of the new hospital remains incomplete. Medical services here are limited to outpatient care.
Similarly, the Maheswaram and Ibrahimpatnam hospitals, despite being upgraded to 50-bed facilities, face severe shortages of doctors, medical staff, and necessary medications.
Kodangal and Parigi hospitals, despite their upgrades, are barely functioning due to equipment shortages and the absence of surgeons. Operations cannot be performed, and patients are regularly referred to other facilities. Even family planning services at Shamirpet’s Community Health Center have been put on hold due to staff shortages.