On Sunday, the Telangana State chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) urged the state government to launch a single-window system for approving hospital licences and implement the Aarogyasri programme in small and medium hospitals with 25 beds. During the conference, Association president Dr BN Rao stated that corporate hospitals charge extra for their services.

However, if Aarogyasri services are introduced in small and medium-sized hospitals, prices will fall immediately. Therefore, the government should launch the programme for hospitals with at least 25 beds. According to him, the government should also introduce a single point of contact where all licences could be obtained. He added that the government should have a window that can provide all the permissions, including fire, STPs, and others.

According to Dr M. Sampath Rao, former president of the IMA state chapter, doctors deal with human beings. Therefore, the government should reduce the rules for fire safety, sewage treatment facilities, and the withdrawal of commercial licences. He also asserted that all political parties were in favour of quacks and demanded that unlawful doctors be subject to anti-quackery laws.

Dr B. Ranga Reddy, the chair of the IMA Telangana Public Health Committee, pointed out that IMA has devised several programmes to improve community outreach and eradicate quackery. He further added that the COVID pandemic has highlighted the importance of enhancing public health and preventive measures. He noted that the government, healthcare providers, community organisations, and individual people must all play a part in the multifaceted strategy needed to improve public health in India.