Khammam, August 25, 2026: Khammam District Collector Divakar T.S. directed officials to ensure that all government hospitals and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have adequate infrastructure, medical equipment and staff to provide better healthcare services to the public.

The Collector, along with Additional Collector (Local Bodies) Dr. P. Srija, reviewed infrastructure, civil works, medical equipment, laboratories and diagnostic hubs of the Medical and Health Department at a meeting held at the Collectorate Conference Hall on Tuesday.

Divakar instructed officials to identify civil works required at every PHC on a priority basis, giving first preference to facilities urgently needed for patient care. He said government funds must be utilised efficiently and economically, and unnecessary works should be avoided.

Proposals have been prepared for civil works worth approximately ₹5.20 crore across 24 PHCs in the district. The Collector directed officials to expedite the works while ensuring that the facilities meet future requirements as well.

Funds Sanctioned for Medical Equipment

The Collector announced that ₹30 lakh each would be sanctioned in the first phase for medical equipment at the Sathupalli and Madhira Area Hospitals, while ₹20 lakh would be sanctioned for Kalluru Community Health Centre (CHC).

He instructed officials to select equipment that can perform multiple types of tests and ensure that purchases include warranties as well as basic maintenance and servicing support.

Canara Bank has also come forward to provide 10 RO water plants, which will be installed at the Khammam Government General Hospital and other hospitals where required. The Collector suggested using low-cost prefabricated structures at hospitals facing urgent infrastructure requirements.

Doctors Must Be Available During Duty Hours

The Collector directed doctors and medical staff to strictly follow working hours and ensure that patients are never left without medical care. Doctors must remain on duty until the next shift doctor takes charge.

He also instructed officials to avoid unnecessary deputations and said deputations should be proposed only when there is a genuine administrative or patient-care requirement.

Hospitals Must Maintain Cleanliness and Attendance

Divakar directed officials to immediately report problems at hospitals instead of allowing issues to come to notice through media reports or other sources. He also called for coordination with local bodies to maintain cleanliness around hospitals, with cleaning drives scheduled every 15 days.

The Collector further ordered the installation and regular use of biometric attendance systems at all hospitals and health centres. Proposals should also be submitted for appointing required laboratory technicians, including through outsourcing or contract arrangements wherever necessary.

₹46.57 Lakh Proposed for PHC Equipment

Additional Collector Dr. P. Sreeja said proposals worth ₹46.57 lakh had been prepared for medical equipment required at PHCs, while ₹9.42 lakh was proposed for equipment at sub-centres.

Officials have also prepared proposals worth approximately ₹2.165 crore for civil works at 197 sub-centres. Additional Collector Sreeja directed officials to ensure that every centre has the minimum infrastructure required by the public.

She also said proposals worth ₹9.918 lakh had been prepared for works required to meet National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) at two PHCs, one UPHC and seven AAM centres.

District Medical and Health Officer Dr. D. Ramarao, District Hospital Coordination Officer Dr. Rajasekhar, Deputy DMHO Dr. Venumadhav, Medical and Health Department Executive Engineer Uma Maheshwara Rao, medical officers, engineering officials, local body representatives and other officials attended the meeting.