Latest news with #C.DamodarRajaNarasimha
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- General
- The Hindu
Health Minister reviews power supply readiness in govt. hospitals
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha chaired a review meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, focusing on uninterrupted power supply in government hospitals and monsoon-related preparedness. Highlighting the need for seamless electricity in emergency medical services, the Minister directed officials to assess and improve the functioning of power generators across government hospitals. He instructed the installation of automated generators in facilities currently lacking such infrastructure. To enhance hospital-level power management, he also called for the temporary appointment of electrical engineers and the provision of essential backup equipment and supplies. The Minister stressed the need for close coordination between district medical officials and Electricity Department personnel to ensure 24x7 power supply to hospitals, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. He also reviewed preparations for tackling seasonal diseases in the wake of monsoon. He instructed officials of the Telangana Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMSIDC) to procure adequate stocks of COVID-19 test kits and medicines for diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. He underscored the importance of sanitation and inter-departmental coordination in preventing outbreaks and ensuring timely availability of medicines in government health facilities.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana health minister flags private medical college stipend issues with NMC Chairman
Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha met with Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Dr. B.N. Gangadhar in Hyderabad on Saturday (May 31) and raised concerns over the challenges faced by medical students in private institutions, particularly the non-payment and delay of stipends. During the meeting, the Minister underscored the impact of the rapid increase in the number of private medical colleges in Telangana, stating that it has strained both infrastructure and faculty recruitment. He appealed to the NMC to consider providing temporary exemptions in building norms and to support efforts to fill faculty vacancies. The Minister also highlighted the shortage of postgraduate (PG) medical seats compared to the growing number of MBBS graduates in the State. He urged the Commission to allow an expansion of PG seats to improve training opportunities for graduates and strengthen healthcare delivery. Responding to the concerns, the NMC chairman assured that the Commission would look into the issues raised. According to an official release, the NMC Chairman also held in-depth discussions on the overall functioning of medical colleges and hospitals and agreed on the importance of safeguarding the quality of medical education. The meeting was attended by Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu, Vice-Chancellor of Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS) Dr. P.V. Nanda Kumar Reddy, and other senior officials from the State health department.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Telangana to begin sending COVID-19 samples for genome sequencing
The Telangana government will be ensuring genome sequencing of viral samples to track potential mutations of COVID-19, announced Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha during a high-level review meeting held on Monday, to assess the current pandemic situation and prepare for the upcoming seasonal disease surge. The meeting, attended by senior scientists and officials from institutes such as the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), and AIIMS Bibinagar, was convened to streamline inter-institutional coordination for public health. 'While there is no significant threat from COVID-19 at present, it is essential to maintain vigilance through continued surveillance,' the Minister said. He instructed the Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Ravinder B. Nayak, to begin sending samples for genome sequencing to monitor any emerging variants. CCMB Director Dr. Vinay Kumar Nandicoori assured that despite fluctuating global case numbers and a rise in hospitalisations in some countries, the situation in Telangana remains under control. 'Thanks to herd immunity, most people in the state and across India are not experiencing severe symptoms,' he said. Dr. Abhishek Jagdishchander Arora, Head of Radiodiagnosis at AIIMS Bibinagar, added that no fresh advisory has been issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As the state braces for the monsoon season, which typically sees a spike in vector-borne and respiratory illnesses, the Health Minister directed officials to strengthen early prevention mechanisms. He urged routine surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) and Influenza-Like Illness (ILI), and directed coordination with institutions like CCMB, CDFD, NIMS, and AIIMS Bibinagar. Rapid response teams will be established in all districts, alongside grassroots-level awareness campaigns in collaboration with the Panchayati Raj and Municipal Departments. The Minister stressed leveraging social media to disseminate accurate health information quickly and widely. Officials have also been asked to identify dengue and malaria hotspots and deploy special teams for public awareness and sanitation drives. With outpatient and inpatient numbers expected to rise during the rainy season, hospitals have been directed to maintain an adequate stock of medicines, diagnostic kits, and medical supplies and ensure patient nutrition and hygiene. Issuing a warning to private hospitals, the Minister said that any attempt to overcharge patients for dengue treatment would invite strict action.
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
No need to panic but stay alert: TG Health Dept. on COVID-19 situation
Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha, on Saturday, chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the State's COVID-19 situation and the Health Department's preparedness for seasonal diseases ahead of the monsoon. Senior Health officials presented an update on the national and global COVID-19 scenario. While a slight uptick in cases has been observed in a few countries, officials noted that hospitalisation rates remain low. In India, the situation is stable, with only a limited number of cases linked to the JN.1 variant, a strain in circulation since 2023, which currently poses no serious threat, said a release from the Minister's office. Factors such as herd immunity due to immunisation against COVID-19, mild nature of symptoms due to the JN.1 variant and low incidence of hospitalisation, all indicate that the situation is under control. There is no immediate cause for concern, as on date, the release said. Officials confirmed that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has not issued any new advisories or guidelines, attributing this to the controlled nature of the outbreak. Epidemiologists informed the Minister that COVID-19 has been in its endemic phase for nearly three years, and minor fluctuations in case numbers are expected. They also warned of an expected rise in respiratory infections such as cough, cold, and fever due to prevailing weather conditions. Risk of seasonal diseases The Minister was briefed on the availability of testing kits, medicines, and healthcare personnel across the State. Stressing the need for vigilance with the approaching monsoon season, he highlighted the risk of seasonal illnesses such as dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. He appealed to the public to maintain clean surroundings and eliminate stagnant water sources to curb the spread of vector-borne diseases. He instructed the Health Department to ensure that adequate stocks of essential medicines and supplies are there at all government health facilities. Awareness drives are to be ramped up in both rural and urban areas, focusing on hygiene and disease prevention.
The Hindu
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Jagtial will be developed as a healthcare hub, says health minister
The Telangana government is committed to transforming Jagtial district into a premier healthcare hub in the State, said Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha during a review meeting held at the district collector's office on Sunday (May 11). In a discussion with officials from Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) and Directorate of Medical Education (DME), the Minister reviewed hospital infrastructure, public healthcare delivery and service gaps across the district. Among the major announcements was the sanctioning of an MRI machine for the Government General Hospital, Jagtial. The Minister also highlighted the need to improve services at the district's three dialysis centres, warning that any neglect in patient care would not be tolerated. 'Jagtial is a key district in North Telangana and our goal is to make it a model in healthcare services. We will ensure all necessary medical equipment is provided, and doctors must deliver timely and compassionate care,' the Minister said. He directed health officials to promote institutional deliveries in government hospitals, setting a target of 100% government-facilitated births. Special focus was laid on increasing the number of normal deliveries, and ASHA and Anganwadi workers were asked to raise awareness about the safety and reliability of government healthcare services in their villages. The Minister also announced that a trauma care centre would be set up in Dharmapuri. Additionally, he instructed officials to ensure proper management of the district's central drug centre without any lapses. He issued a stern warning to the medical staff, asserting that strict action would be taken against those found neglecting their duties. 'Negligence will not be tolerated. Doctors and staff must provide the best services without causing inconvenience to patients,' he added.
