Budgetary allocation alone is insufficient to tackle healthcare challenges: IMA Telangana

Reacting to the allocation of ₹12,393 crore for the Health Department, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Telangana has said that budgetary allocation alone is insufficient to tackle the State’s critical healthcare challenges.

The current allocation remains far below the 8% of the total budget recommended by the National Health Policy (NHP) 2017, with Telangana’s allocation amounting to just 4%, said Dr. Burri Ranga Reddy, Chairman of the Public Health Committee of IMA Telangana.

IMA Telangana has renewed its call for the establishment of a Telangana State Health Commission, a regulatory body that would oversee healthcare delivery, medical staffing, and efforts to curb illegal medical practices. The association highlighted the need for immediate recruitment of doctors and medical staff, as over 2,500 vacancies continue to impact healthcare services, particularly in rural areas.

“There needs to be improvements in rural and urban health infrastructure, ensuring better diagnostic facilities, specialist doctors, and essential medicines,” said Dr. Duvvuru Dwarakanatha Reddy, president of IMA Telangana. He stressed that merely increasing funds without strengthening the healthcare system’s foundation would not yield the desired improvements.

Dr. Burri Ranga Reddy echoed these concerns. While welcoming the expansion of dialysis networks for chronic kidney disease (CKD), he underscored the need for a preventive approach. “We must invest in early screening, community health programmes, and robust infection control systems to prevent disease onset rather than only treating it,” he said.