The sad state of Government hospitals, and the cashing in of Private Hospitals

The situation of Coronavirus in the city of Hyderabad is not getting any better any time soon. This has become very clear from the way the cases have been rising, and from the way very few tests are being done on a daily basis.

Even as the situation is getting worse, Telangana Chief Minister KCR had a few interesting points to make, with respect to people going to Private Hospitals instead of Government Hospitals. KCR said that it is futile to go to Private hospitals and get charged a bomb, when they can go to government hospitals and get the same tests at a much lower price.

CM KCR is right indeed, however, the situation at government hospitals is less than promising. Contrary to what the Chief Minister has said, about top class amenities and facilities in government hospitals, we all have been seeing several video tapes of how very horrible situations are, in government hospitals.

The situation at Chest hospital was chaotic, to say the least, a few days ago, and the situation at Gandhi Hospital need not be explained specifically. Relatives of patients are beating up staff, and continuous strikes are being done by staff members for some or the other reason. Osmania General Hospital is now facing one of the worst situations, with drainage water seeping into the ward where patients have been admitted, because of the heavy rains in the city.

These are only few of the several reasons why people are preferring to shell down heaps of money at private hospitals, rather than to go to government hospitals.

When CM KCR announced Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) a few months ago – with 1,500 beds designated purely for the treatment of Coronavirus – everyone rejoiced, hoping that the situation in the city would be great. However, the CM hasn’t spoken of it ever since, and is now more focused on the demolition and construction of the secretariat, rather than on making Hyderabad a better place for its residents.