Telangana Assembly Approves Major Healthcare Restructuring Bill
The Telangana Legislative Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (Repeal) Bill, 2026, marking a significant shift in the state's healthcare administration. This legislative move will transform the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP) into the Directorate of Secondary Health Care (DSHC), a change aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and service delivery across medical facilities.
Cross-Party Support and Key Concerns Raised
All major political parties, including the BRS, BJP, AIMIM, and CPI, expressed their support for the government's decision. They acknowledged that the restructuring would help streamline salary payments for doctors and improve overall health services. However, legislators also highlighted critical challenges facing the healthcare sector, such as a shortage of surgeons, doctors, paramedical staff, and support personnel. Additionally, concerns were raised about the inadequate availability of advanced medical equipment, including MRI machines, CT scanners, and ultrasound facilities.
Minister Outlines Recruitment and Infrastructure Plans
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha provided detailed insights into the government's strategy to bolster healthcare infrastructure. He announced that the recruitment process for 2,075 new posts is currently underway. This includes 1,616 specialist doctors, 332 nurses, 42 dental surgeons, and 85 pharmacists. These positions are in addition to the 757 nursing officers, 180 lab technicians, and 48 physiotherapists recruited by TVVP over the past two years.
Since December 2023, the health department has filled 9,572 posts statewide, with another 7,267 positions in the process of being filled. Notifications for an additional 2,929 posts are scheduled to be issued in 2027. Overall, the healthcare system is set to be strengthened through the recruitment of a total of 19,768 personnel.
Expansion of Medical Colleges and Dialysis Centers
The minister further revealed plans to establish postgraduate medical colleges in five district hospitals, aiming to enhance medical education and training. To improve accessibility for patients, the number of dialysis centers will be increased, ensuring that every patient can receive services within 20 to 25 minutes of travel time.
Trauma Care and Hospital Statistics
In a bid to save lives during emergencies, trauma care centers are being established every 35 kilometres along state and national highways. Out of a total of 109 planned trauma centers, 74 will fall under the purview of the Directorate of Secondary Health Care. Currently, TVVP operates 184 hospitals with a combined capacity of 12,720 beds. These facilities serve approximately 1.2 crore outpatients, 12 lakh inpatients, 50,000 surgical patients, and over one lakh deliveries annually.
Rationale Behind the Transition
Minister Rajanarasimha explained that the transition from TVVP to DSHC addresses long-standing administrative constraints. As a grant-in-aid institution, TVVP faced issues such as delays in salary payments and deficiencies in service delivery. Converting it into a directorate is expected to resolve these problems and fulfill the persistent demands of healthcare employees for better working conditions and streamlined operations.
