Hyderabad: Good news for journalists and employees as Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha is directing officials to widen medical services at EJHS wellness centres to improve healthcare access across Telangana.
During a review meeting held at the Aarogyasri Trust office in Hyderabad, the Minister said the government would expand services in a phased manner. In particular, he instructed officials to introduce speciality and super speciality services, including cardiology and nephrology, at the wellness centres.
At present, the Aarogyasri Trust operates 12 EJHS wellness centres across the state for journalists and government employees. Recently, the government handed over the Khairatabad and Kukatpally wellness centres to NIMS. Meanwhile, it entrusted the remaining 10 centres to the Medical Education Department.
Currently, the centres provide services such as general medicine, dental care, and physiotherapy. In addition, some centres offer gynaecology and orthopaedic services.
EJHS wellness centres to expand speciality medical services
Therefore, the Health Minister instructed officials to add general surgery, cardiology, nephrology, paediatrics, neurology, and dermatology services in phases. He also directed them to appoint specialist doctors and adequate supporting staff. Moreover, he asked officials to install the diagnostic equipment required for patient tests.
Rajanarsimha further instructed officials to improve waiting areas and other patient facilities. At the same time, he said employees and journalists should not face shortages of medicines. Hence, he directed officials to ensure the availability of all required medicines at every wellness centre.
In addition, the Minister ordered that the entire process, from medicine indent to procurement, be carried out digitally. He stressed that officials must avoid delays in purchase and supply. Finally, he instructed officials to develop an app to enable online OP booking.
Health Secretary Christina Z Chongthu, Aarogyasri CEO Uday Kumar, Director of Medical Education Narendra Kumar, NIMS Director Beerappa, and other senior officials attended the review meeting.