Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao today formally launched “KCR Kits” scheme and distributed them to six women, who delivered babies recently at Modern Government Maternity Hospital, Petlaburj in the old city.
The six lactating mothers Rasheeda Begum, Mekala Savitha, Nookala Navaneetha, P Saritha and Tabassum received them from the hands of the Chief Minister amidst applause from all those who were present on the occasion on the hospital premises. The Chief Minister also launched “KCR Kits” website on this occasion.
Earlier, the Chief Minister was shown a photo exhibition before he went round the hospital. He was also shown the ultrasound centre, emergency ward, general wards, stabilization centre for complicating cases, recovery room and other facilities in the hospital. Going around the hospital KCR interacted with patients and enquired about the functioning of the hospital and staff. He said, “We are doing service to humanity. Still, sometimes the media carries negative news reports, particularly with reference to non-availability of beds. Probably, a public relations exercise may undo this sort of negative publicity”, he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out that as against a bed strength of 462 in the hospital, the demand was for over 700 beds, which is a proof of its good work and good name. “This is a dense area and poor people live here and hence there will be demand to make use of the hospital facility when needed. With shortage of beds and with increase in demand, there was a struggle like war. One should thank the doctors for allowing extra patients over and above the bed strength”, he observed.
The Chief Minister said if needed, one more block would be constructed on the same premises. The Chief Minister recalled services of Dr Mahalaxmi of yesteryears and how during those days even the elite used to make use of the services of this hospital. He also assured to provide land for a new building for this hospital which would be run on corporate standards.
In the recovery room, the Chief Minister had an interaction with the doctors and staff and enquired about the facilities in the hospital. On knowing that there was a shortfall of staff, the Chief Minister suggested that “if there was a shortfall, let us take it as a challenge and work accordingly”.
The Chief Minister made a reference to patient attendants’ facilities and recalled how in earlier days there used to be “Dharmasalas” beside attendants’ blocks, adjacent to Government hospitals. He asked the Health Minister to build such Dharmasalas in future in every hospital beginning with those in dense areas. CM also enquired the nursing staff about their problems and assured increased stipend and mess facilities.
The Chief Minister was accompanied by Union Minister Bandaru Dattatraya, Deputy Chief Minister Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Ministers Nayini Narasimha Reddy, C Laxma Reddy, MLA Quadri, Chief Secretary S P Singh, Health Secretary Rajeshwar Tiwari, Family Welfare Commissioner Karuna among others. (NSS)