Inadequate facilities observed at area hospitals, patients dissatisfied

Metro India News | HUZURNAGAR

Patients in Huzurnagar have alleged that the Area Government Hospital is failing to provide adequate medical services, forcing many to seek treatment at private hospitals and bear significant out-of-pocket expenses. Residents say the condition of the government-run facility has left patients reluctant to depend on it even for basic healthcare. Although the hospital has been upgraded to a 100-bed facility, locals claim that essential services remain inadequate.

Patients allege that medicines are often unavailable, X-ray services are either non-functional or inaccessible, and the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centre is struggling due to a shortage of specialist doctors. Pregnant women reportedly face considerable hardship, with many being advised to seek delivery services at Suryapet Government Hospital or private hospitals instead. Poor families, who largely depend on government healthcare, say they are being forced to spend heavily on treatment at private facilities because of the lack of services at the hospital.

With seasonal diseases such as malaria and dengue on the rise, patient footfall at government hospitals has increased. However, residents allege that the hospital is facing shortages of essential medicines, leaving patients with limited treatment options. The Maternal and Child Health Centre is also facing criticism. According to local residents, the 100-bed hospital has only two gynecologists, making it difficult to handle deliveries. As a result, several pregnant women are reportedly referred to other government hospitals or private medical institutions.

Residents also allege that the hospital lacks functional ventilators, forcing doctors to refer critically ill patients to hospitals in Suryapet or Khammam. They also claim that the hospital's oxygen plant, which was operational in the past, is currently non-functional, affecting emergency care. Responding to the allegations, Dr. Venkateswarlu, Superintendent of the Huzurnagar Area Hospital, denied that there is any shortage of medicines. He said doctors do not routinely prescribe medicines to be purchased outside the hospital and claimed that some patients themselves request outside prescriptions.

He acknowledged that ventilators are currently under repair and said the issue has been brought to the attention of higher authorities, with repairs expected to be completed soon. The superintendent also admitted that there is a shortage of gynaecologists but maintained that delivery services are continuing at the hospital despite the staffing constraints.