Vizianagaram: After NTR university, Jagan govt changes name of Maharaja Hospital

Vizianagaram: Andhra Pradesh government renamed the Vizianagaram Maharaja Government Headquarters Hospital as Government General Hospital on Thursday.

A billboard having the new name was put up on Thursday evening surprising the visitors. This comes close on the heels of renaming NTR Health University as YSR Health University.

The hospital was established decades ago by Maharajas of the Vizianagaram dynasty represented by the Pusapati family. The hospital is spread over 22 acres of land. Of which 12 acres are lying vacant.

The government also plans to start new specialties once the medical college starts functioning.

TDP took strong exception to the state government renaming the hospital. TDP general secretary, Nara Lokesh said that Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was drawing sadistic pleasure by changing the names of the institutions. He said that Jagan was changing the names as he had failed to develop the state.

Lokesh said Jagan had changed the name of the Health University and named it after his father late Dr. Y S Rajasekhar Reddy. He regretted that the name of Dr. N T Rama Rao was removed from the institution which was initially established by him.

Former MLA of Vizianagaram Meesala Gita also objected to the government's decision in changing the name.

"Maharajas of Vizianagaram established the hospital in their land when the government had no funds for such a venture. The government should focus on development rather than changing the names of old and established institutions," the former lawmaker said.

However, the majority of people ignored the change in the name. Even there was no discussion among the patients or their attendants, hospital sources said.

Superintendent of the hospital Dr. K Padma Leela said that the 330-bedded hospital popular as MR hospital has been upgraded to a medical college and teaching hospital.

"The National Medical Council would not accept the proposal if the hospital is called AP Vaidya Vidhana Parishad's Maharaja district hospital. The MCI would give permission for teaching hospital only to government general hospital. The MCI team will visit by October 12," she added.