Telangana increases health budget, expands dialysis services

The Telangana government has announced an 8% increase in its health budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The total allocation for the Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department is now ₹12,393 crore. This is an increase of ₹925 crore from last year's budget of ₹11,468 crore. Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka presented the budget on March 19, 2025. He emphasized the government's commitment to improving healthcare services. Since December 2023, ₹1,215 crore has been given to hospitals under the Aarogyasri scheme, which serves 2.84 crore citizens in Telangana. This marks a 50% rise in funding compared to previous years. The state has also expanded its free dialysis program to 102 centers, benefiting over 100,000 patients. The initiative has saved families around ₹948 crore. To enhance these services, 95 new dialysis centers have been approved. Furthermore, 136 new ambulances have been dispatched to areas that previously lacked emergency medical services. Improvements in medical education are also part of the budget plan. The government has added 400 MBBS seats in new medical colleges and approved 16 new nursing colleges along with 28 allied health sciences colleges. This will allow 2,640 more students to pursue medical education each year. To top it off, the government is investing ₹2,700 crore to build a modern Osmania General Hospital on a 27-acre site. This effort aims to upgrade facilities and enhance healthcare services at this historic medical institution.