Harish Rao warns of hunger strike over delay in Warangal super specialty hospital

BRS leader T Harish Rao has accused the Congress government in Telangana of deliberately stalling the Health City project in Warangal to deny credit to former CM K. Chandrashekar Rao.

Warangal: BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao came down heavily on the Revanth Reddy government, accusing it of neglecting public health infrastructure in Warangal by not completing the Health City project, while prioritising a real estate-driven Future City.

He claimed the Congress government was deliberately slowing the project to deny former Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao credit.

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“If even 10 percent of the attention given to Future City had been given to this Health City, it would have been operational by now. BRS would launch a hunger strike in Warangal if the hospital is not made fully functional with staff and equipment,” he warned.

After inspecting the under-construction 2,000-bed super specialty hospital in Warangal along with senior BRS leaders, Harish Rao stated that the project, whose 24-storey structural slabs were completed during the previous BRS regime, has virtually stalled. He stated that the project which was scheduled to be inaugurated by Dasara in 2024, remained incomplete even after two years had passed.

The former Minister questioned the feasibility of the government’s reported plan to inaugurate the hospital on June 2 with only outpatient services.

“Is this a super specialty hospital or a Basti Dawakhana meant to offer outpatient services alone?” he asked.

He pointed out that a 2,000-bed facility would require at least 1,500 doctors, 2,000 nurses and 1,000 paramedical staff. He demanded clarity on the Cabinet approvals and recruitment notifications in this regard.

Harish Rao raised concern over prevailing conditions at the existing MGM Hospital, which is reportedly struggling due to crumbling infrastructure, non-functional equipment and lack of basic facilities. He observed that operation theatres were shut due to leaking air-conditioning units, patients were being referred to Hyderabad, and even wheelchairs and stretchers were unavailable.

“MGM has become a haven for rats and insects,” he said, demanding an immediate review and release of pending salaries to outsourcing staff.

The BRSLP deputy leader accused the government of neglecting employee and journalist welfare schemes introduced by the BRS, including health coverage and welfare funds. He alleged that no fresh allocations were made for journalists in two budgets and that accreditation cards had not been issued for over two years.

Criticising recent arrests of BRS corporators and leaders in Warangal, he urged the Chief Minister to build hospitals, but not factions. He demanded that the 20-lakh square foot hospital be completed and dedicated to the people without further delay, as public patience was wearing thin.