Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Health Minister Orders Emergency-Only Referrals to Higher Hospitals
The health minister said hospitals should not send patients to bigger hospitals unless it is truly necessary.
Sending patients away for small illnesses can make travel harder for families.
It can also overcrowd bigger hospitals.
Local hospitals are being asked to provide more treatments and surgeries.
Doctors must explain why a patient needs to be referred.
In emergencies, the first hospital must contact the next hospital before sending the patient.
The government has added specialist doctors and assistant professors.
Officials will inspect hospitals regularly and take action over problems such as absenteeism or poor care.
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha ordered government hospitals to refer patients upward only for genuine medical needs or emergencies.
He said unnecessary referrals burden patients and place avoidable pressure on tertiary-care hospitals.
Community health centres, area hospitals and district hospitals were directed to expand local treatment, including major surgeries.
In unavoidable emergencies, referring hospitals must notify and coordinate with receiving hospitals beforehand.
The government has recruited 1,616 specialist doctors and filled 607 assistant professor posts, while officials face inspections and possible action for negligence.
- Who
- Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha and officials under the Directorate of Secondary Health Care.
- What
- Government hospitals were instructed to refer patients to higher-level facilities only for valid medical reasons or emergencies.
- When
- The directive was issued on Saturday.
- Where
- Government hospitals, community health centres, area hospitals and district hospitals in Hyderabad and the wider health system under review.
- Why
- To reduce hardship for patients, ease pressure on tertiary-care hospitals and improve treatment at local facilities.
- Referral rule
- Patients should be referred to higher-level hospitals only when medically necessary or during emergencies.
- Emergency coordination
- Referring hospitals must inform and coordinate with receiving hospitals before transferring patients when referral is unavoidable.
- Local treatment
- Community health centres, area hospitals and district hospitals should provide comprehensive care, including major surgeries.
- Specialist recruitment
- The government recruited 1,616 specialist doctors for district and area hospitals and community health centres.
- Teaching hospitals
- A total of 607 assistant professor posts were filled.
- Inspections
- District coordinators of hospital services were instructed to conduct surprise inspections at least once a week.
- Potential action
- Officials warned that unnecessary referrals, absenteeism, early departure from duty and negligence could lead to action.