Telangana: Not Having A Health Minister Is Worrying!

It’s been more than two months since ex Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA and leader Eatala Rajender was sacked from his cabinet post of state health minister by Telangana CM KCR. As it happened during the peak stages of the second wave of the pandemic, KCR himself took over the health portfolio. Now that COVID-19 cases have been reducing gradually, there comes a question on when Telangana will have a full-time health minister?

For time being, we have KCR managing the ordeals pertinent to the pandemic and also organising time-to-time meetings with the cabinet. But, a full-time health minister needs to be there to protect and promote public health, providing welfare and other social security services.

Moreover, the state is witnessing several angry contract nurses protesting against the state government over contract termination. To the unversed, contract nurses, selected and working at all government hospitals, including Gandhi, Osmania, Niloufer, Chest and Fever hospitals among others, as per Telangana State Public Service Commission’s notification complained that their services were terminated abruptly by the government.

The commission asked the TVVP to file the report by August 27. With such havoc, it is common for a health minister to pacify a situation like this. But presently, the contract workers have no one who can lend an ear. When questioned on the status of a health minister for the state, a senior TRS leader asked the media to have patience. “Why so hurry? KCR will certainly appoint someone soon. I reckon he would take more time to announce. Moreover, COVID-19 cases are also on the decline”. So, until then, we have to wait and see how far KCR can pull off his decision.