Telangana Govt suspends in-charge Superintendent of Niloufer Hospital

Hyderabad: The Telangana Health Department on Friday suspended the in-charge superintendent of Niloufer Hospital for allegedly allowing the construction of a private medical store within the hospital premises without obtaining official approval.

The unauthorized store was also demolished by authorities on the same day.

The suspension order issued by Telangana health secretary Christina Z Chongthu read: "In the circumstances reported by the director of medical education (DME), Hyderabad, govt places Dr N Ravi Kumar, in-charge superintendent, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, under suspension,” reports TOI.

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The construction work for the private medical store had commenced three days ago, but came to the authorities’ attention only after media reports surfaced. According to the news reports, Dr. Ravi Kumar allegedly claimed that the construction was being carried out with approvals from both the Health Department and the Hyderabad District Collector. However, both authorities later refuted the claim.

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Speaking to TOI, DME A Narendra Kumar, "There is no provision to set up a private medical shop within a government health setup unless permission is taken. This is because the government itself provides medicines from its own medical shops. However, the concerned superintendent had not obtained any permission, and he was also not able to stop the construction, which reflects his inefficiency."

According to the Hindu, Hyderabad District Collector Anudeep Durishetty denied issuing any such authorisation. “No individual or private entity has been granted permission to carry out any construction activity on the land within the Niloufer Hospital premises,” he said, adding that strict action would be taken against those involved in unauthorised use of government property.