Why not consider alternatives? Docs question government on OGH demolition

Hyderabad: Following an affidavit filed by the state government at the Telangana High Court asserting its decision to demolish the century-old Osmania General Hospital (OGH) building, the doctors are divided in their opinion about the impending fate of the heritage structure.

Even though the doctors have always demanded a new OGH building for the smooth functioning of patient care, they did not seem too enthusiastic about demolishing a heritage structure. In fact, as per sources, the demolition decision has given rise to heated arguments among doctors on a WhatsApp group.

Old building affecting healthcare

The recently-filed affidavit stated that the decision was taken after thorough discussions with various public representatives and stakeholders including ministers, MPs, GHMC officials and other departments.

“The old building is unfit for any kind of patient care, and the building will be removed along with the other satellite buildings for the development of an alternative hospital in 35.76 lakh square feet,” mentioned the affidavit filed on behalf of the health, medical and family welfare department of Telangana.

The main reasons cited for the decision to demolish include the dilapidated state of OGH and the severe space constraints hampering healthcare and medical treatments, giving rise to an urgent need to set up a full-fledged new hospital. As per the affidavit, “Since the old building is situated in the middle of the land parcel, development of an alternative hospital is indeed impossible unless the old building is removed.”

Dr Mohammad Jahangir, an alumnus of the general surgery department of OGH, had been one of those doctors most vocal about securing a new building for OGH. However, regarding the decision to demolish the heritage structure, he said, “All we want is a new building for OGH where patients can get proper care and a space to stay. The new building will also ensure the safety of patients and hospital staff because of the dilapidated and overcrowded old building. We sometimes had portions of staircases caving in or flakes falling from ceilings, risking everyone’s lives. It is beyond repair and therefore there is no alternative but a new building. Adequate space, consisting of a few acres on the OGH premises, can be utilised for a new building instead of pulling down the old structure,” said Dr Jahangir.

“Perhaps the government can take a decision keeping in view the heritage protection rules and keep the façade of the old OGH building intact. The old building can even be developed as a museum or a for storage of certain medical or hospital equipment instead of housing patients. The High Court and the OGH building were constructed roughly around the same time. If one can be protected, why not the other?” the doctor asked.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), led by president Dr K Mahesh Kumar, issued a press statement, welcoming the government’s decision to construct a new building for OGH.

“What is important here is the mandatory procedure to be followed under Regulation 13 of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) Act. The government has to take a policy decision to refer the matter to the heritage committee constituted under the HMDA Act so as to take a legally enforceable decision to demolish OGH, categorised as a heritage building under the HMDA Act. If the demolition decision is caught in a legal tangle, the government is free to take a policy decision and allot alternative land for the construction of a new building for OGH. These policy decisions do not require any sanction or permission from the High Court,” the release stated.