NCD clinics have become a boon in TG, says Health Minister

At the Telangana-North East Connect Techno Festival held at Raj Bhavan on Wednesday, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said that the State’s network of non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics has become a single-point destination for nearly 50 lakh people seeking screening and treatment for diabetes, hypertension, kidney ailments and heart conditions.

“The clinics were set up across the State last year with the intention of offering easy access to early diagnosis and long-term management. The increasing caseload showed why NCD services could no longer be confined to higher medical institutions and needed to be available at the primary level,” he added.

He said that diagnostic services remain free for all patients attending government hospitals through 32 diagnostic centres. To extend the same support to remote regions, diagnostic hubs are being opened in the four Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas so that tribal populations can access tests without travelling long distances.

The Minister added that the State’s efforts to manage long-term illnesses were also reflected in the rapid expansion of dialysis services. “Telangana now provides dialysis to about 12,000 patients through 102 centres, compared with just three centres serving 1,200 patients before 2014. Another 79 centres are expected to be launched so that one facility is available roughly every 20 kilometres,” he noted.

He said that the government was also strengthening services for cancer patients, with day-care cancer centres established in all 33 districts.