Hyderabad: The Telangana govt is preparing a new policy to strengthen healthcare services in tribal and remote areas, health minister Damodara Rajanarasimha announced on Tuesday.Reviewing infrastructure needs in fast-growing constituencies, including Ibrahimpatnam, the minister said hospitals in tribal areas would be planned based on distance rather than population to ensure easier access to medical care for people in remote villages.At a review meeting with MLAs from Bhadradri Kothagudem district and senior health officials, the minister said new sub-centres and primary health centres (PHCs) would be sanctioned wherever required, while existing PHCs, community health centres (CHCs) and area hospitals would be upgraded.He also announced that CT scan services would be introduced in all area hospitals in ITDA areas in a phased manner, covering Bhadrachalam, Aswaraopet and Yellandu.The minister said one ambulance had already been sanctioned for every mandal in Bhadradri Kothagudem district, while approval had also been given for four new dialysis centres. He directed officials to install generators at PHCs in forest areas to ensure uninterrupted services during monsoon-related power outages.Later, reviewing govt hospitals in Ibrahimpatnam constituency, the minister instructed officials to expedite the completion of the ₹38-crore Ibrahimpatnam area hospital building. He said medical services should continue from alternative govt buildings until the new facility is ready.The minister also directed officials to increase the number of doctors and other healthcare staff in view of the area’s growing population and improve services at the Yacharam and Hayatnagar community health centres.
