HYDERABAD : Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed officials to prepare a digital health profile for everyone in the state. He suggested creating a digital health profile card with a unique number, enabling the government to provide required treatment in emergency situations. The digi health profile card should be linked with the Aarogyasri card, the chief minister said.
During a review of the health department in Hyderabad on Monday, the chief minister also discussed the issue of removing the mandated requirement of the white ration card to avail Aarogyasri services. Due to this provision, the number of people demanding new white ration cards increased abnormally in the state, observed the CM. He directed the officials to bring in a common policy under which nursing, physiotherapy and paramedical colleges were established on the premises of medical colleges.
During the review, Revanth directed the officials to complete the construction of TIMS Super Specialty Hospital in Warangal, LB Nagar, Sanath Nagar and Alwal on a war footing. He stressed that complete medical services should be available at Bibinagar-AIIMS, benefiting not only the people of Khammam, Warangal, and Nalgonda districts but also reducing the burden on Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and NIMS. The chief minister mentioned he would soon meet the Union Health Minister, if necessary, to explain the necessity of providing full medical services at AIIMS-Bibinagar.
‘Clear pending Rs 270 crore Aarogyasri bills’
The CM also discussed the implementation of Aarogyasri and the availability of funds to implement the health scheme. Officials have been asked to clear the Aarogyasri bills of government hospitals every month. They are directed to enter into an agreement with private hospitals for the release of Aarogyasri bills every three months. Revanth directed officials to release the pending Rs 270 crore Aarogyasri bills for government hospitals and teaching hospitals affiliated with government medical colleges immediately. He said the salaries of junior doctors, Asha workers and staff nurses would be paid regularly every month.
‘Use big pharma CSR funds for govt hospital upkeep’
Meanwhile, officials informed Revanth of the problems faced in the expansion of Osmania General Hospital. The chief minister noted that the hospital building was a heritage building, and the issue was pending before the court. The government would decide how to proceed as per the court’s directions.
The CM instructed officials to ensure that big pharmaceutical companies use their CSR funds to improve housekeeping and maintenance services in government hospitals. Officials were asked to start this as a pilot project either at OGH or Gandhi hospital.