In June last year, the Telangana government had announced that government hospitals in 19 districts of the state will get free diagnostic centres. The same month, these centres were inaugurated.

However, Malkajgiri, which is the largest constituency in India with over 31 lakh voters, wasn’t included in the list of districts that were to get free diagnostic centres.

The government had said that more districts would get free diagnostic centres in a phased manner. But till date, the district hospital in Malkajgiri waits for this facility.

These centres are very helpful for the poor in these districts. There are 57 types of diagnostic tests that are being conducted free of cost at these centres.

The Covid-19 pandemic has increased the financial burden on the poor, with an increased requirement for diagnostic testing. There are a lot of lower middle class and poor families living in Malkajgiri, who would benefit immensely from free diagnostic tests.

We have given a representation to the Commissioner, Health and Family Welfare and Mission Director, National Health Mission, Smt Karuna Vakati, IAS, to start a free diagnostic centre in our Malkajgiri District Hospital.

There is an urgent need to provide free diagnostic facilities in Malkajgiri, to alleviate the financial burden on the poor amid the pandemic.

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