Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Thursday ordered the shifting of historic Osmania General Hospital within a week due to the dilapidated condition of its building.
Accompanied with Health Minister Dr. C. Lakshma Reddy and other senior officials, the Chief Minister went around the hospital premises and inspected the condition of rooms, their walls and roof. Expressing fears that continuing in the same building might lead to a catastrophe, he directed the officials to shift the hospital in a private building at a suitable nearby location in consultation with all the stake holders.
Speaking to media persons later, KCR said that the dilapidated condition of building poses threat to the lives of doctors, nurses, other staff and the patients. He said more than the heritage status of the structure, lives of people is more important. He said the building of Nursing College too was in very bad shape. He regretted for visiting the hospital very late.
The Chief Minister said he would meet the Governor and Chief Justice of High Court to request them to remove the OGH building from the list of heritage monuments to facilitate its demolition. He said a new building with ultra-modern facilities and a Nursing College would be constructed at the same place. (INN)