RTC hospital to be given to Telangana

Hyderabad: The basis for the division of assets in the ratio of 58:42 for residuary Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is being done in several government departments. But the 200-bed Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) hospital at Tarnaka is an exception to the rule. By virtue of its location and inpatient flow, the division of assets was being done more in favour of Telangana. According to senior officials at the corporate office of APSRTC, all assets could not be divided on the 58:42 ratio and the hospital was one such asset. The maximum number of patients visiting the hospital was from Telangana and if more equipment and rooms were given to Andhra Pradesh, it would lead to under utilisation of resources.

The hospital at Tarnaka is the only big hospital for the entire State. There are dispensaries in districts. In Hyderabad too, there are four dispensaries. The hospital has a staff of 150 with 40 doctors. Suresh (name changed on request), an employee of APSRTC hospital, said, “Why would someone from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema come all the way to Hyderabad. Moreover major operations are not conducted at the hospital as it is not a super specialty hospital.” In the last three months, statistics was collected on the inflow of patients. Almost 75 per cent of the patients who utilise the services at the hospital were from Telangana hence the decision not to divide the assets on the 58:42 ratio.

M Ravinder, executive director, medical, APSRTC said, “The corporation has not narrowed down on the exact figure as far as the division of assets for the hospital is concerned. But it would be more in favour of Telangana as the maximum number of patients was from the region. Some of the equipment would be shared such as operation theaters and Radiology department.” “The average occupancy is 50 per cent throughout the year. So there would be no problem. The problem may arise only in case of shortage of doctors post bifurcation,” he added. The hospital has two major operation theatres and two mini theatres. But once the two states come into existence, there would be separate OPs, lab facilities and pharmacy.