Put new hospital in Vemulawada to use, demands Congress

KARIMNAGAR: It is shameful that even though hundreds of people are dying every day due to non-availability of medical services, the government seems to be in no hurry to start the newly-constructed 100-bed hospital in Vemulawada, alleged TPCC secretary and the party’s Vemulawada Assembly segment in-charge, Adi Srinivas here on Thursday.

Speaking to the media after consoling family members of those who had succumbed to coronavirus in Vemulawada, Srinivas questioned the purpose of constructing the hospital when it is kept idle despite the pandemic taking a heavy toll, all around.

It may be recalled that during his visit to the temple town in April, IT minister, K.T. Rama Rao had said that the hospital would start functioning by April-end. However, it remains a non-starter till date.

The second wave Coronavirus is spreading rapidly even in rural areas. With beds not available in the government hospital, people are forced to shell out money in private hospitals. Given their economic compulsions, poor people, who are testing positive, are dying, he said, adding that it was sheer negligence on the part of the government and officials.

He said that had the hospital started functioning, it could have saved the lives of several patients. He said that other states are not only going all-out to save people’s lives but they have also included Covid treatment in schemes like Arogyasri besides announcing ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the family members of Covid dead, he pointed out.

Town Congress president, Venkataswamy, leaders Srinivas Goud, Krishna, Rakesh and Raju were present in the press meet.