New buildings for Osmania General Hospital soon: Harish Rao

HYDERABAD: Construction of new buildings for Osmania Hospital is expected to commence soon in accordance with the High Court's final judgement, according to Telangana Health Minister Harish Rao.

A review meeting was held at the Dr. BR Ambedkar Telangana Secretariat on Tuesday, where public representatives unanimously supported the construction of a new building for Osmania Government Hospital.

The meeting, which was attended by officials and public representatives, focused on addressing the public's urgent health care requirements, even if it meant demolishing existing structures.

Health Minister Harish Rao said that the government would thoroughly examine the meeting's recommendations and immediately submit an affidavit notifying to the High Court of the decision.

Construction of the new building would begin as soon as the High Court grants approval, he said.

Harish Rao recalled Chief Minister KCR's 2015 visit to the hospital, when he ordered the construction of a new structure to demonstrate the government's commitment to establishing a new facility for Osmania Hospital. However, the process faced obstacles when the High Court issued a stay order in response to protests over the demolition of the current structure.

The High Court formed an expert committee from IIT Hyderabad's Archaeology department to examine the need for a new building, declaring that the current structure failed to meet the hospital's functional requirements.

Following the recent court ruling, a meeting was held with public representatives from the hospital's vicinity to gather their feedback regarding the new building.

Harish Rao expressed satisfaction as all the public representatives unanimously agreed to the construction of the new building.