A clip of doctors treating patients with mobile flashlights in Telangana during a power blackout has resulted in the suspension of a hospital superintendent. The scene was from Zaheerabad Area Hospital, where V. Sridhar Kumar was the in-charge superintendent. He was suspended by the health department of the state on charges of negligence.
In the viral clip, healthcare workers are seen checking patients in a poorly lit ward, using only the light from their cellphones. Patients are lying on beds and doctors attempt to carry out their duties under very challenging conditions. The haunting images soon went viral and invited a wrath of criticism, sparking concerns regarding hospital facilities and readiness.
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Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha directed a formal inquiry after the video made the rounds online. The blackout created complete chaos in the emergency ward, The Times of India says. Although the hospital did possess a backup generator, the delay in putting it into use resulted in great inconvenience for patients and staff alike.
An investigation by the Sangareddy Collector and Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner attested to the fact that even though a generator existed, it was not run on time, resulting in the failure of emergency services. The health department has therefore now issued fresh guidelines to all Telangana state government hospitals, emphasizing that superintendents have to ensure that backup generators remain in operational condition at all times in order to avoid such incidents from being repeated.
The incident also enraged politicians. BRS MLA and opposition leader Harish Rao Thanneeru attacked the Congress government, posting the video on X and stating, “On one side power cuts, on another side generator in the hospital is not functional. At last treatment is provided under cell phone light.”. If the situation at the Zaheerabad Government Area Hospital, which sees over 300 patients, is like this, what is the situation like at other hospitals in rural areas?”
He further criticized the government’s performance, saying, “The regime has been in power for a year and a half. People are losing access to medical care. @revanth_anumula Guys. stop tying your necks in the air and provide minimum facilities. #CongressFailedTelangana.”