Telangana HC raises concerns over delay in opening 100-bedded Alampur hospital

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the State’s inaction violates the constitutional right to health and disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities.

By Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Renuka Yara of the Telangana High Court on Friday expressed concern over the prolonged delay in operationalising a fully constructed 100-bedded government hospital in Alampur, located in Jogulamba Gadwal district.

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The Court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by S. Ramchandra Reddy, a resident of the district and social activist, who questioned the inaction of the authorities in making the hospital functional despite its completion nearly 18 months ago.

The Bench took note of the petitioner’s grievance that although the hospital, equipped with necessary infrastructure, was completed in October 2023, it remains non-functional and unstaffed, leading to deterioration of the premises and posing a risk of misuse by anti-social elements.

Expressing dissatisfaction, the Court remarked that public resources could not be allowed to lie idle while people are denied access to essential healthcare. The petitioner contended that the delay is causing significant hardship to the residents of Alampur, a Scheduled Caste-reserved constituency predominantly inhabited by marginalised communities.

Ramchandra Reddy further submitted that in the absence of any operational government hospital in the vicinity, patients are forced to travel long distances to Kurnool, Gadwal, or Hyderabad for medical assistance.

The hospital project, sanctioned in September 2021 under the previous administration, was allotted Rs. 21 crore, with the foundation stone laid by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, the then Minister for Municipal Administration. Despite completion, the hospital is yet to be made operational, and repeated representations to the authorities have yielded no response, the petitioner claimed.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that the State’s inaction violates the constitutional right to health and disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities.

Taking note of these submissions, the Division Bench issued notices to the Principal Secretary (Health), Director of Telangana Medical Services & Infrastructure Development Corporation (TMSIDC), Director of Public Health, District Collector (Jogulamba Gadwal), and the District Medical and Health Officer (DMHO).

The Court directed them to file their responses within two weeks, explaining the reasons for the delay and the steps, if any, taken to make the hospital operational. The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.