- 30 Tests Under One Plan
- Digital Health Records for Prevention
- Statewide Preventive Health Mission
Article Today, Hyderabad:
The Telangana government has launched one of its largest public health initiatives aimed at women. The programme seeks to build comprehensive digital health profiles for 46 lakh women across the state. Officials say the initiative moves beyond diagnosis and focuses on long term disease prevention and early intervention.
The programme will formally begin on March 8, marking International Women’s Day. State Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha will inaugurate the initiative. Authorities describe it as a major step toward strengthening women’s health monitoring systems at the community level.
Large Scale Medical Screening
Under the programme, women belonging to self help groups will undergo structured health screening. The Telangana Diagnostics network will conduct 30 types of medical tests for each participant free of cost.
Health officials say the screening will help identify early signs of chronic illnesses and other health risks. In addition, the programme will generate digital health profiles that can support long term monitoring and treatment planning.
The government has instructed the health department to complete the process within 6 months. Authorities believe large scale screening will also strengthen preventive healthcare systems in rural and urban areas.
99 Day Action Plan
Meanwhile, the health department has prepared a 99 day operational plan as part of the broader Praja Palana development programme. The plan divides the initiative into 4 implementation phases across the state.
The first phase will run from March 6 to March 31. During this period, the focus will be on maternal and child health, adolescent health monitoring, and elderly care services. Blood tests for anaemia will also be conducted among children in schools and anganwadi centres. In addition, hospital sanitation drives and administrative backlog clearances will be addressed during the same phase.
Focus On Non Communicable Diseases
The second phase will run from April 1 to April 15. Health teams will concentrate on screening for non communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. Sub centres will organise large screening camps for early detection. Meanwhile, health officials will also map chemotherapy services available at day care cancer centres.
Authorities have also directed dialysis units to conduct mandatory viral infection screening. Officials say the measure will improve safety and care standards for patients with chronic illnesses.
Seasonal Disease Preparedness
The third phase will take place between April 16 and May 15. Public health teams will focus on preventing infectious diseases and strengthening seasonal disease preparedness.
The campaign will also support the national goal of eliminating tuberculosis. Therefore, screening teams will work to detect new tuberculosis cases during the period.
However, with summer temperatures rising, awareness campaigns will also warn people about heat stroke, dengue, and malaria. Essential medicines will be stocked at primary health centres to ensure emergency readiness.
Urban Health Service Expansion
The final phase will run from May 16 to June 12 and will focus mainly on urban healthcare systems. Authorities plan to upgrade 145 urban primary health centres within the Greater Hyderabad region, Cyberabad, and Medchal districts.
These facilities will gradually function as polyclinics offering specialised medical services. Meanwhile, mobile medical camps will operate in urban slums to provide treatment for low income residents. In addition, the government will organise food safety awareness events to educate people about food adulteration and public health risks.
Administrative Review Meeting
The programme strategy was finalised during a review meeting held at the state secretariat. Senior officials from multiple departments participated in the discussions.
Those present included Principal Secretary of Health Christina Z Chongthu, Health Commissioner Sangeeta Satyanarayana, and Aarogyasri Chief Executive Officer Uday Kumar. Drug Control Director General Shanawaz Qasim, Director of Medical Education Narendra Kumar, and other senior officials also attended.
The health minister instructed departments to ensure that regular hospital services continue without disruption while the 99 day plan is implemented across the state.
