The Telangana government has announced that it will reserve 10 per cent of the state budget for healthcare, marking a major commitment towards strengthening public health systems. The assurance was reiterated during a high-profile health panel held on Monday at the Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025, where officials and medical experts urged the state to use this momentum to become a national and global leader in healthcare innovation.

The session, titled “A Healthy Telangana for a Prosperous Telangana”, brought together policymakers, clinicians and public health specialists. They stressed that technology adoption, reliable primary healthcare, and strong partnerships across departments would be essential for meeting the state’s growing needs. The discussion also underlined how Telangana’s rising burden of non-communicable diseases is emerging as one of its most serious public health challenges.

Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha confirmed that the 10 per cent allocation would be maintained going forward. He said the move was necessary because illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney disorders and cancer were increasing rapidly across the state. Recent screening data reflects the scale of the problem, with nearly 25 lakh people above the age of 30 found to have hypertension and around 12 lakh diagnosed with diabetes. Experts estimate that 26 per cent of adults over 30 in Telangana experience hypertension and 13 per cent have diabetes. The state already provides dialysis to around 12,000 patients through 102 centres and its non-communicable disease clinics serve nearly 50 lakh people every year.

Expanding Public Health Systems and Technology Use

Speakers at the summit noted that Telangana has made progress in creating urban primary care through its Basthi Dawakhanas and in offering free diagnostics across government facilities. However, they emphasised that deeper investment is needed, especially in technology-enabled systems. Digital health records, telemedicine networks and real-time disease monitoring were highlighted as tools that could help the state manage chronic conditions more efficiently and reduce delays in treatment.

Medical leaders said that improving primary healthcare remains crucial because it is the first point of contact for most families. With a large share of non-communicable diseases going undetected until they advance, experts argued that the state must strengthen screening programmes and bring care closer to people’s homes. Early diagnosis, they added, prevents costly treatment later and reduces the burden on district hospitals.

The government has been expanding district-level infrastructure and establishing new medical colleges, but officials admitted that further upgrades will be needed. A stronger health workforce will also be essential. The increased budget is expected to support training programmes, scholarships and hiring of additional doctors, nurses and specialists. Incentives for service in rural and tribal belts are likely to be discussed as the state refines its health strategy.

Hub-and-Spoke Care Model

Dr Amita Aggarwal, executive director of AIIMS Bibinagar, proposed a hub-and-spoke model in which every medical college adopts 50 to 75 square kilometres of surrounding area. She said this would allow institutions to work closely with local communities and create a complete system of care, linking preventive, primary and advanced medical services in an organised network. She also called for lower drug prices and low-cost clinical protocols so that the benefits of healthcare reach more families.

UNICEF regional head Dr Zelalem Birhanu Taffesse supported a strong focus on primary care and human resources. He said that healthcare alone cannot address the state’s disease burden and recommended integrating nutrition, rural development and community participation into the plan. He stressed that public health improves only when multiple sectors work together to support families, particularly children and vulnerable groups.

The panel also highlighted the need for better health financing mechanisms. Several speakers pointed out that countries with guaranteed basic healthcare packages and clear emergency care entitlements have achieved stronger outcomes. They suggested that Telangana could explore similar models, including dedicated funds for primary care and guarantee cards offering minimum assured services.

Private Sector Role

Sunshine Hospitals managing director Dr A. V. Guruva Reddy urged the government to involve the private sector more closely, especially in preventive healthcare. He suggested allowing corporate hospitals to adopt villages and carry out screening, nutrition, and health awareness programmes. Citing the example of Apollo Hospital’s community work in Aragonda, Chittoor – where the local health system now records 100 per cent institutional deliveries and operates 11 nutrition centres supporting nearly 400 anaemic mothers – he said that public hospitals can match private standards when backed with adequate resources and cooperation.

Other panelists called for universal health insurance and the inclusion of basic health rights in school curricula. They argued that educating children from an early age would help build a healthier population in the long term. The government, they noted, must continue working jointly with private hospitals, civil society groups and international organisations if it hopes to meet its ambitious healthcare goals.

As Telangana commits a fixed share of its budget to health, experts believe the state now has an opportunity to redesign its system in a sustainable and people-centred manner. The coming years will test whether increased funding, stronger partnerships and technology-driven solutions can help Telangana emerge as a model for inclusive and modern public healthcare.

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