Delay hits Secunderabad Cantonment Board Hospital revamp

HYDERABAD: Procedural formalities are delaying the restoration of the 30-bed Cantonment Hospital in Bolaram. Health minister C. Laxma Reddy visited the hospital on September 1 and declared that the state government would start maternity services in the first phase within 15 days. As things stand, it would take a few more weeks at least to get the hospital running. The Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) and the state government have not communicated officially on the matter. Rajeshwar Tiwari, special chief secretary, medical and healthsaid that the state government was waiting for the SCB’s letter. He said that a few SCB officials met him and said they were keen to take the help of the health department but no understanding had been reached.

The SCB hospital, despite having good infrastructure, is functioning like a dispensary with limited staff and facilities. The SCB’s board members and elected representatives have urged the TS government to use the infrastructure and offer medical services to people living in the nearby are-as, after which Dr Reddy visited the SCB hospital. Mr J. Lokanatham, SCB member from Bolarum, was confident that the government would make use of the hospital. 

“The CEO and all board members are in favour  of  this. The issue will be tabled in the upcoming SCB meeeting and a resolution will be passed accordingly. If rules require taking the consent of the defence ministry, we will personally pursue the issue in the national capital,” he said. According to sources, once the required permissions are obtained, the board and the TS health department will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding.

State to seek funds from Centre 

The state government has decided to seek National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) funds to run the Cantonment’s only general hospital. Although the state government came forward to restore the 30-bed hospital that was being run as a dispensary, the Cantonment Board is unlikely to bear the costs of  medical staff, medicines and equipment for running the hospital.

Infrastructure and laboratory facilities and a few staff members will be provided by the Cantonment to the state government. The government considered various options to meet financial expenses and zeroed in on the NUHM. Minister C. Laxma Reddy has cleared the proposal. If the Centre agrees to fund the hospital, it will contribute 75 per cent of the funds required, and the state government will allot the rest.