Hyderabad, September 18- 2024 – Alarming revelations have surfaced from Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, where 48 newborn babies and 14 pregnant women tragically lost their lives in August. The fatalities are reportedly linked to medical negligence and the discontinuation of key nutrition programs, raising concerns about the state of healthcare in Telangana.
According to sources, the tragic deaths are attributed to a combination of factors, including inexperienced medical staff performing critical surgeries, inadequate nutrition for expectant mothers, and the suspension of essential welfare schemes like the KCR Kit and Nutrition Kit, which were previously offered under the former state government. These programs had been instrumental in providing support to pregnant women, particularly from low-income households.
Suppressed Information Unveiled
An independent investigation conducted by TeluguScribe has uncovered disturbing data about the deaths, which had reportedly been kept under wraps by the Telangana government for over 15 days. The findings expose systemic failures and raise questions about the handling of public healthcare across the region.
Critical Failures at Gandhi Hospital
Further investigations into Gandhi Hospital’s management have revealed several troubling issues that appear to have contributed to the rising death toll:
- Unqualified Leadership: A retired junior assistant, Ramaiah, was appointed as the Rajiv Arogyasri Medical Coordinator, a role traditionally reserved for senior medical professionals, leading to mismanagement of resources.
- Salary Delays: Outsourced staff and Family & Health Department employees have gone without salaries for over four months, impacting morale and operational efficiency.
- Inexperienced Medical Staff: The transfer of experienced doctors to rural postings has left less experienced staff to manage high-risk cases, resulting in inadequate care and a surge in fatalities.
- Suspension of Key Welfare Programs: The KCR Kit and Nutrition Kit, critical schemes for maternal and infant health, have not been operational for the past six months. The discontinuation of these programs has left vulnerable groups without much-needed nutrition and healthcare support.
- Infertility Center Shutdown: The infertility center established under the previous government has not treated a single patient since the Congress party assumed power and has now been closed entirely.
- Unjustified Dismissals: Data Entry Operators (DEOs), some with 15 years of service at Gandhi Medical College, were dismissed without clear justification, with the state citing budget constraints.
Impact on Public Healthcare
These revelations paint a bleak picture of the public healthcare system in Telangana. The absence of accountability, underqualified leadership, and the cessation of vital healthcare programs have left many questioning the current administration’s commitment to safeguarding the health of its citizens.
Families of the victims, alongside healthcare advocates, are demanding immediate intervention from both state and central authorities to address the systemic failures at Gandhi Hospital and restore faith in public healthcare services across Telangana.
The healthcare crisis at Gandhi Hospital has cast a long shadow on the state’s ability to manage its healthcare infrastructure, and the need for comprehensive reforms is now more urgent than ever.
