HYDERABAD: In a bid to reduce the growing patient burden on Hyderabad’s major govt hospitals and improve access to specialised treatment in districts, the state govt is planning to establish a network of integrated referral hospitals under a hub-and-spoke model.The proposed centres are likely to come up across the erstwhile 10 districts, including Adilabad, Nizamabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Medak, and will function as advanced referral hubs for surrounding district and area hospitals.“Each facility is expected to function as an advanced referral hub for nearby district and area hospitals, enabling patients to receive higher-level treatment closer to home,” said director of medical education Dr A Narendra Kumar.He said the initiative aims to reduce the steady flow of referrals to Hyderabad, where premier govt hospitals face heavy patient loads and waiting times. “By strengthening district-level infrastructure, the govt hopes to minimise travel hardship for patients and cut delays in treatment,” he added. Officials believe the model could also rationalise spending under the Aarogyasri Health Care Trust by reducing reliance on private hospitals.“Major portion of Aarogyasri expenditure goes to private hospitals. Once district hubs are strengthened, more patients can be treated within the govt system,” the DME said.Public health experts welcomed the proposal. “The approach can improve access to specialised care. If implemented with adequate specialists and diagnostics, it can decongest tertiary hospitals in Hyderabad,” said Dr Kiran Madhala, general secretary of teaching govt doctors association.However, doctors cautioned that infra alone will not be enough. “Each hub hospital must have sufficient PG seats, specialists. Without strengthening teaching capacity in districts, referral pressure will continue to shift back to Hyderabad,” said Dr B Narahari, president of Telangana govt doctors association.
