MGM Hospital Warangal, HHF join hands to build patient support model in Telangana Tier-2 cities

Hyderabad: Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital (MGMH) in Warangal, one of the largest State-run multi-speciality and tertiary hospitals in Telangana, has collaborated with Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) to set up patient support services.

750 medical emergencies daily

The 1,500-bedded MGM Hospital in Warangal sees over 3,000 OPD patients daily, which runs OP from 9 am to 12 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm.

As many as 700-750 medical emergency cases are reported daily, and the hospital has services covering all departments, a dedicated pediatric block, Oncology block, Palliative Care, Geriatric Care, Psychiatry and a de-addiction centre and other super speciality services including cardiology at PMSSY hospital.

Patients from neighbouring Hanamkonda, Jangaon, Mahabubabad, Mulugu, Jaishankar Bhupalapally and Narsampet, predominantly with a 20 per cent tribal population, visit MGM Hospital for treatment.

This is due to the wide spectrum of medical services in a large and complex ecosystem that requires robust and adequate patient support systems for ease of access, mobility and continuity of care.

HHF is expanding services to Tier 2 cities of rural districts

Helping Hand Foundation (HHF), which has been working in building patient support services through its Help Desk model with a State-run hospital in Hyderabad, has now set itself in a partnership with and Basheer and Sarwar Babukhan Human Development Trust (BSB HDT) to expand the patient support services in Tier 2 cities of rural districts in TG.

Here are key initiatives by the NGO:

– HHF has deployed 7 trained Community Health Workers in MGM Hospital, Warangal.

– Three CHWs (Female) will assist patients in OPD registration, mainly for ABHA ID (Ayushman Bharath Digital Mission), pharmacy assistance, Navigational support, paper documentation for Govt Schemes etc.

– Four CHWs (Males) are positioned at the Casualty and Emergency Block for providing Mobility assistance to patients from the Casualty to other departments.

– Supporting referrals and transfers to various departments such as Surgery, ECG, MOT, X-ray, USG Scans and CT scan.

– Providing mobility support even to discharged patients until they leave the hospital premises.

Helpline services

Significantly, a dedicated Helpline number will facilitate intra-district and hospital pathways for patients, particularly the tribal patients between MGMH and the government tertiary hospitals in Hyderabad, where HHF runs Help Desk services. This will significantly improve patient trust and treatment outcomes.

“Patient Support Services in MGM will mean less confusion and more care, easier accessibility through guidance from Help Desk will reduce stress, save time and repetitive queries. In the long run, it will improve patient trust in public health,” said Mujtaba Hasan Askari of Helping Hand Foundation.