New Osmania General Hospital Takes Shape: CM Lays Foundation Stone

Hyderabad is gearing up for a major enhancement in its public healthcare system, with Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy was inaugurated the foundation for a new Osmania General Hospital (OGH) on Friday, January 31. This new facility, located in Goshamahal, will span 32 lakh square feet and is designed to meet National Medical Commission (NMC) and Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) requirements. With a capacity of 2,000 beds, the hospital is expected to significantly improve healthcare services in the region.

The new hospital will be equipped with 29 major and 12 minor operation theatres, along with state-of-the-art surgical facilities such as robotic surgery systems and a specialized transplant theatre. Additionally, the design includes advanced infrastructure, including a modern laundry facility, sewage treatment plant (STP), effluent treatment plant (ETP), and a system for managing biomedical waste.

A key feature of the new facility is its focus on medical education and training. The hospital will house 30 departments, including eight newly introduced super-specialty areas. The design also includes a new academic block that will accommodate colleges for nursing, dental, and physiotherapy courses.

The Chief Minister has emphasized that the new hospital will meet both current and future healthcare needs, with provisions for an independent power substation, a fire station, and robust emergency response systems. The hospital will also have well-planned areas for patient services, including reception areas, waiting halls, cafeterias, restrooms, and designated spaces for staff and visitors.

To address logistical concerns, the facility will feature a multi-level parking area with two additional floors. The surrounding roads, including those near the police stadium, are being re-engineered to alleviate traffic congestion and incorporate No-Signal junctions with underpasses. Furthermore, provisions will be made for helipads to support air evacuations for critical patients and organ transplant operations.

Osmania General Hospital has long been a cornerstone of Hyderabad's healthcare system, serving over 3,000 outpatients and 1,200 inpatients daily. However, the current facility, which occupies 7.5 lakh square feet, is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of the growing population. The new hospital will bridge this gap by complying with NMC guidelines, which require a minimum space of 30 lakh square feet for large-scale hospitals.

The new hospital will be developed on a 26-acre site, while the adjacent 11-acre area will be redeveloped for police operations. This will ensure that the needs of both the healthcare system and law enforcement are met in a coordinated manner.

Osmania General Hospital's origins trace back to 1866, when it was first established as Afzalgunj Hospital by Salar Jung I. It was later renamed in honor of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the last Nizam of Hyderabad. Today, the new OGH project aims to continue this legacy, providing world-class healthcare services to the residents of Hyderabad and Telangana.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)