2000-bed 'Dashabdi' block coming at NIMS Hyderabad, KCR aims at strong healthcare system

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new block with 2000 beds at Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Hospital in Hyderabad on Wednesday. With this, NIMS will become one of the biggest hospitals in India with 4000 beds.

The new block, 'Dashabdi', will help improve healthcare services and strengthen healthcare infrastructure to meet growing medical needs.

The block, being constructed with a cost of Rs 1,571 crore, will house 42 super speciality departments, including heart, kidney, liver, cancer care, emergency and trauma care, and various orthopaedic specialities.

Addressing the meeting later, KCR said that the budget for the medical department in Telangana is increased from 2,100 crores in 2014 to 12,365 crores in the 2023-24 budget. "We are expanding the number of beds from 17,000 to 50,000, with a focus on establishing 50,000 oxygen beds. We assure the public that the state is well-prepared to tackle challenges such as the recent locust problem, with adequate measures in place." KCR said.

Recognizing the critical role of a strong healthcare system in mitigating risks, KCR said more viruses might emerge in the future, which will be beyond Covid pandemic. It's known that where healthcare is good, the risk is lower.

He asserted that there is need to improve public relations in the medical department to raise awareness of the services it provides. "Initiatives like the KCR kit have had a positive impact, saving numerous lives. It's crucial to have well-planned healthcare strategies that go beyond hospital construction and focus on enhancing the quality of services provided." KCR said.

Chief Minister also launched a program at NIMS Hospital to provide nutrition kits for essential nutrition and distributed the kits to six pregnant women.

On the occasion, Minister of Medical, Health and Finance T Harish Rao said, "The contributions of Osmania and Gandhi hospitals cannot be overstated, and we must acknowledge the previous neglect of the health department. We are witnessing rapid progress with the development of Warangal Health City and super speciality hospitals."

Minister Harish Rao added, "Chief Minister KCR's vision has led to the establishment of medical colleges across districts, ensuring that the children of Telangana do not have to seek education abroad. Our state ranks number one in MBBS and PG medical seats, a testament to our dedication."

"Through the establishment of village clinics and basti davakhanas, we have made healthcare more accessible to the people," he said.

9 years of healthcare sector

As a part of Health Day, celebrated during the ongoing 21-day Telangana Formation Day celebrations, Harish Rao shared the progress made in the healthcare sector under the leadership of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao through a video.

The video showcased the tremendous growth achieved by Telangana's healthcare system within a span of just nine years.

The achievements include the expansion of healthcare infrastructure, the establishment of new hospitals and medical colleges, and innovative programs such as Basti Dawakhanas, Aarogya Mahila clinics, and Telangana Diagnostic Centers.

The launch of Kanti Velugu, the world's largest free eye screening program, was also highlighted, along with the state's focus on women and child-centric wellness programs. These initiatives have resulted in a significant reduction in maternal and infant mortality rates, serving as a model for other regions in the country.