Stop unnecessary referrals, district hospitals must treat more patients locally, says Telangana health minister

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha has cautioned government hospitals against unnecessary patient referrals to higher-level facilities for minor ailments, directing officials to take stringent action against such practices. While some government hospitals have already stopped referring patients unnecessarily, the minister noticed that others continued the old system.

He emphasized that patient referrals to higher-level hospitals should be made only when there is a valid medical reason. In emergency situations requiring patient transfer, the receiving hospital must be informed in advance and coordination with its doctors should be established.

Narasimha delivered these directives during a review of government hospitals' performance, medical services, infrastructure, human resources, and equipment under the Directorate of Secondary Healthcare (DSH). He urged the strengthening and development of Community Health Centres (CHCs), Area Hospitals (AHs), and District Hospitals (DHs) into full-fledged medical centers capable of performing major surgeries and providing a wider range of services locally.

The minister also highlighted that District and Area Hospitals possess the potential to offer medical services equivalent to teaching hospitals. He revealed that 607 Assistant Professor positions are being filled in teaching hospitals, while 1,616 specialist doctors have been recruited for District Hospitals, Area Hospitals, and CHCs.

To optimize the utilization of hospital resources, Narasimha instructed District Coordinators of Health Services (DCHSs) to conduct daily inspections of each hospital under their jurisdiction. During these inspections, officials must verify timely doctor and staff attendance, timely patient treatment, functional equipment, and availability of medicines, diagnostic tests, and scans.