Govt. decides more 144 Basti Dawakhanas across State and 92 more in GHMC

Hyderabad: Minister for Medical, Health, Family Welfare and Finance, T. Harish Rao said that the government has decided to establish 144 Basti Dawakhanas (similar to primary health care facilities) in urban areas across the state of Telangana and 92 more in areas under Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation limits.

Speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of a Basti Dawakhana at Shantiniketan Colony, Old Bowenpally, today, the Minister claimed that the Basti Dawakhanas are achieving considerable success and support from the local population.

The concept of Basti Dawakhanas and offering nearly 57 different kinds of free diagnostic services along with free consultation with a doctor is being appreciated by the people. So far, 60.18 lakh individuals have utilized the services from these already established 258 Basti Dawakhanas.

On an average, each Basti Dawakhana provides services to 100 local patients on a daily basis, he said. . 

The T-Diagnostic initiative, wherein the collected samples of patients from Basti Dawakhanas are transported to major diagnostic hub located in Institute of preventive Medicine (IPM) and Gandhi Hospital has so far provided services to 11.60 lakh patients in Hyderabad.

The aim of Basti Dawakhana is to provide healthcare services to urban poor on par with corporate hospitals, at local level Basti Dawakhanas will provide primary healthcare facilities while tertiary care facilities will be provided at super specialty hospitals.

Curb Spread of New Variant “Omicron” by Using Mask, Maintaining Physical Distancing and Vaccine: Harish Rao

Commenting on the new variant of coronavirus “Omicron”, Harish Rao said, the option before the people to curb the spread of new variants is extensive use of masks, maintaining physical distancing and taking the dose of vaccine. 

He said, so far, 91 percent of eligible persons in Telangana have received the first dose of the Covid vaccine and 47 percent have completed their two doses. He said we have a buffer stock of 80 lakh Covid vaccines and I request individuals who are yet to get vaccinated to come forward and get it done at the earliest, he added.