Gaps in services at Telangana’s secondary healthcare facilities to be assessed

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha held a review meeting on Monday (November 9, 2026) where he examined proposals for the reorganisation of the Directorate of Secondary Healthcare

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha has directed officials to strengthen secondary healthcare facilities across the State to ensure that people can access specialist medical services and diagnostic facilities within their respective districts, without having to travel to Hyderabad or hospitals attached to medical colleges for routine health needs.

The Minister issued the directions during a review meeting in Hyderabad on Monday (November 9, 2026) where he examined proposals for the reorganisation of the Directorate of Secondary Healthcare, formerly known as Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP), based on a study report prepared by the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI).

He said Community Health Centres (CHC), Area Hospitals (AH) and District Hospitals (DH) were crucial to strengthening healthcare delivery at the district level. The government was focusing on improving infrastructure, ensuring adequate specialist doctors and support staff, and establishing diagnostic facilities in these hospitals.

Directing officials to undertake a comprehensive hospital-wise assessment, he sought details of the specialist services currently available, departments requiring additional doctors and nursing or paramedical staff, and gaps in medical equipment and diagnostic facilities. “There should be no situation where specialist doctors are available but unable to provide services due to a shortage of equipment or supporting personnel,” he added.

He also called for clearly defining the range of medical services to be provided by hospitals based on their bed capacity, including 30-bed, 50-bed and 100-bed facilities, and larger hospitals. Officials were asked to prepare a detailed plan specifying the specialty departments, bed strength, operation theatres, laboratories and other infrastructure required at CHCs, Area Hospitals and District Hospitals.

The Minister further directed that secondary healthcare facilities across the State be developed in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). Officials were asked to compare existing staffing levels and sanctioned posts with IPHS requirements, identify gaps, reorganise available posts based on current needs and submit proposals for additional posts wherever necessary.

Reviewing the proposal to establish District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS) offices in every district, the minister stressed the need for clearly defined administrative responsibilities from the State-level directorate to the district level.