Ensure safety of Govt. hospitals, Health Secretary tells engineering officials

Health Secretary Dr Christina Z Chongthu directed engineering officials to ensure the safety and maintenance of government hospital buildings in Warangal after a roof portion collapsed at the Aarogyasri ward, injuring patients and sanitation staff. She also reviewed the under-construction Super-Specialty Hospital

Warangal: Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department Secretary Dr Christina Z Chongthu directed engineering officials to ensure the safety and proper maintenance of government hospital buildings in the district.

Her visit to the hospital came in the backdrop of the collapse of a portion of the roof slab at the Aarogyasri ward of the hospital on Sunday, injuring three patients, two sanitation staff members and a few others.

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Accompanied by Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr N Vani, Warangal and Hanamkonda district Collectors Dr Satya Sarada and Chahat Bajpai, Dr Chongthu inspected the Aarogyasri ward and inquired about the circumstances that led to concrete fragments peeling off from the ceiling.

The official sought information about the condition of the hospital buildings from Roads and Buildings Executive Engineer (EE) Narender Reddy and TGMSIDC EE Prasad, while directing them to pay special attention to the safety and maintenance of the hospital buildings.

Dr Chongthu also visited the under-construction Super-Specialty Hospital in Warangal. She held a review meeting with officials regarding the medical facilities and infrastructure to be provided at the hospital. She instructed officials to ensure coordination among the relevant departments to complete the construction within the stipulated deadline while adhering to quality standards.

Speaking to the media, Dr Satya Sarada said it was planned to shift the functioning of MGMH to the Super-Specialty Hospital by the end of 2026. She admitted that there was some deterioration in the civil structure and said repairs were being carried out as and when required.

Referring to complaints about a shortage of medicines and non-functioning MRI and X-ray machines, the Collector said measures were being taken to address the issues on a temporary basis before shifting to the Super-Specialty Hospital.

DME Dr Vani said the State government had formed a team of senior officials to oversee the shifting of MGMH operations to the Super-Specialty Hospital. MGMH Superintendent Dr Ram Kumar Reddy was present.