It’s nothing short of a private hospital. The wide entrance surrounded by greenery gives it an aesthetic appeal. The government hospital at Gajwel has everything that makes it stand out, be it paintings on walls or the creepers that adore every corner.
Murals on walls are also another aspect that gives the hospital a different look. About 50 paintings inside the hospital are done by K. Ashok with the help of his friend, who hails from Siripuram near Madhira in Khamma district. The paintings are done in such a way that they help reduce stress among patients.
The 150-bed hospital built at a cost of ₹21.8 crore has a geriatric clinic exclusively for senior citizens. Initially, the plan was to have 100 beds which was later increased by 50, with the intervention of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, who represents the constituency.
Built two months ago under National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE), another initiative under National Health Mission (NHM), the facility is ready for inauguration. It will have a separate outpatient ward with two medical officers, one physiotherapist and 10-bedded dedicated ward with six staff nurses. There will be a separate medicine dispensing counter, a lab technician exclusively for geriatric clinic and a counsellor to understand and support the geriatric population.
The hospital will also have a palliative care unit within the main building for people suffering from life-limiting illness. For the first time, the palliative care unit has been housed in the main building.
“We are waiting for its inauguration. It will be inaugurated once the date is finalised by Chief Minister’s Office,” said an official on condition of anonymity.