Literacy low among patients at govt hospitals in Telangana, finds survey

Hyderabad: A patient feedback and impact assessment study conducted by the city-based Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) highlighted both challenges and positive outcomes in govt hospitals across Telangana. The survey covered 500 patients, of whom 66.9% were from urban areas, 22.1% lived in slum settlements, and 10.9% belonged to rural areas.According to the study, around 50.8% of patients and attendants reported difficulty in reading, underscoring persistent literacy and communication barriers within govt healthcare settings. Moreover, this group also faced challenges in navigating hospital procedures, documentation requirements, and care pathways without assistance.As many as 85.5% of respondents said they felt safe, comfortable, and satisfied within hospital premises, while 83.4% reported a noticeable reduction in anxiety and stress during their hospital visit. Significantly, 87.4% said their fear related to doctors, medical procedures, or hospital systems reduced."The findings show that the HHF help desks function as far more than an information counter. By addressing uncertainty around navigation, communication, and waiting time, they reduce anxiety, improve efficiency, and enable patients and attendants to move through govt hospitals with greater clarity, confidence, and dignity," said Mujtaba Hasan Askari, HHF.The study covered several major public healthcare facilities, including Osmania General Hospital (OGH), Gandhi General Hospital (GGH), NIMS, ENT Hospital, MNJ Cancer Institute, PNH, and MGM Hospital.