Health Minister Orders State Hospitals to Halt Unnecessary Patient Referrals

Government hospitals across Telangana must not refer patients to higher-level medical facilities unless there is a genuine medical requirement or an emergency, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha instructed health officials in Hyderabad on Saturday. He stated that unnecessary referrals place an avoidable burden on tertiary-care hospitals while causing undue hardship to patients.

Speaking during a review of hospitals functioning under the Directorate of Secondary Health Care (DSH), Rajanarsimha noted that while the practice of unwarranted referrals has decreased in several facilities, reports continue to reach the government of patients being referred to higher centres even for minor ailments. He warned health officials that strict action will be taken if such practices persist.

The minister stated that community health centres (CHCs), area hospitals, and district hospitals must be strengthened to deliver comprehensive medical care locally, including major surgical procedures, eliminating the need for patients to travel to tertiary-care centres. He directed doctors to issue referrals only when supported by valid medical justification.

In emergency situations where a referral is unavoidable, the minister instructed that the referring hospital must notify the receiving facility in advance and coordinate directly with its doctors to maintain continuity of care. Rajanarsimha directed District Coordinators of Hospital Services (DCHSs) to ensure the optimum utilisation of available doctors, staff, beds, medical equipment, and diagnostic services within local hospitals before directing patients elsewhere.

To support local medical services, the minister noted that the government has recruited 1,616 specialist doctors for district hospitals, area hospitals, and CHCs, along with filling 607 assistant professor positions in teaching hospitals. Necessary medical equipment and infrastructure upgrades are also being provided to these centres.

Rajanarsimha further directed DCHSs to carry out surprise inspections of government hospitals at least once a week. These inspections will verify staff attendance, availability of essential medicines, functionality of medical equipment and diagnostic services, sanitation standards, drinking water access, and biomedical waste management protocols.

The minister warned that negligence, unauthorized absenteeism, and leaving duty before shift completion will invite strict disciplinary measures. Health officials were instructed to identify operational and infrastructural deficiencies early and address them promptly before issues escalate.