Health Minister Reviews Patient Care at NIMS, Calls for Vigilance in Emergencies

Telangana Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha reviewed the quality of medical services being delivered to patients at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad. In a meeting with NIMS Director Dr. Beerappa and senior officials at the Aarogyasri Trust office, the minister was briefed that in the first seven months of 2025, the hospital treated over 5.44 lakh patients, with more than half of them receiving free treatment under government health schemes like Aarogyasri and EHS. The director highlighted that the hospital has already performed over 100 kidney transplant surgeries this year.

Minister Rajanarasimha praised the doctors and staff but stressed that the hospital must remain highly vigilant in handling emergency cases. He instructed that patients arriving in critical conditions be admitted and treated without delay, stabilized in the emergency ward, and then shifted to the appropriate department. With 80 to 100 patients arriving at NIMS emergency daily, many of them transferred from private hospitals at advanced stages, the minister emphasized prioritizing direct arrivals and government referrals while still treating private referrals with compassion.

Concerns were raised over some private and corporate hospitals discharging patients prematurely after surgery and directing them to government facilities like NIMS, Osmania, and Gandhi hospitals. The minister ordered strict action against such practices and called for stronger coordination among major government hospitals to ensure emergency beds are managed efficiently. He further instructed that when patients are transferred, they must receive initial stabilization and, if necessary, be accompanied by a doctor in the ambulance to ensure safe transfer.

The minister also issued a stern warning to duty doctors and RMOs, stating that negligence in patient admission or referral management would invite strict disciplinary action. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu, NIMS Director Dr. Beerappa, Additional Director of Medical Education Dr. Vani, and Osmania Medical College Principal Dr. Rajarao.