Hyderabad: The lack of health infrastructure in Seemandhra has been a cause of concern, and private hospitals say that they will not only require funds and special status but also education and confidence of the people before things improve for the sector. The problem, say senior doctors and health experts, is that even for normal treatments people from Seemandhra have been flocking to Hyderabad, though equipment and doctors are available in Seemandhra.
Given this situation, the development has been minimal and not to the extent required. Dr K. Ravindranath, chairman and managing director, Global Hospitals Group, explained, “There is a good scope for development but good human resources, education, support services and training is required apart from funds.”
For this, the Seemandhra government has to provide adequate and aggressive plan to ensure that the state-of-the-art development is carried out. Dr Krishna Reddy, vice-chairman of Care Group of Hospitals, explained, “We can plan better once the capital is decided. Vijaywada, Guntur and Visakhapatnam have good health care facilities. They have to look at other districts which do not have facilities and help to develop them.”
Also, there is a strong need to educate the people in towns and villages about public health policies. This is because Aarogyasri is very popular but most of the people are not aware which diseases are covered. People often expect all the facilities to be free under Aarogyasri. A senior doctor explained, “For proper public-private partnership, the government must take strong steps.
The biggest challenge, state health experts say, will be to shift the focus from Hyderabad to the other centres. Dr K. Hari Prasad, chief executive officer, central region, Apollo Hospitals, explained, “Presently for tertiary care, Hyderabad is the place in the minds of patients. It will take time for the shift to occur, but expansion plan wait for that. The policies of the government will determine the choice for the health sector.”
