A hospital in Telangana has come under fire after a viral video showed doctors treating patients in complete darkness using mobile phone flashlights. The incident occurred at Zaheerabad Area Hospital, where a sudden power outage left the emergency ward without electricity.

In the footage, which quickly spread on social media, doctors can be seen examining patients lying on hospital beds, using their phone lights as the only source of illumination.

Superintendent Suspended, Inquiry Launched

The Telangana Health Department suspended V. Sridhar Kumar, the hospital’s in-charge superintendent, after the video sparked widespread criticism and concern. State Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha immediately ordered a probe into the matter.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:

ఒకవైపు కరెంట్ కోతలు, మరోవైపు ఆసుపత్రిలో ఉన్న జనరేటర్ పని చేయదు. చివరకు సెల్ ఫోన్ లైట్ వెలుతురులో చికిత్స చేయాల్సిన దుస్థితి.

300 పైగా పేషెంట్లు వచ్చే జహీరాబాద్ ప్రభుత్వ ఏరియా ఆసుపత్రి పరిస్థితి ఇలా ఉంటే, గ్రామీణ ప్రాంతాల్లో ఉండే ఇతర ఆసుపత్రుల పరిస్థితి ఎలా ఉన్నట్లు.

ఏడాదిన్నరగా… pic.twitter.com/rm1o4SKaXS

— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) May 31, 2025

An inquiry by the Sangareddy Collector and the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner revealed that although a backup generator was available at the hospital, there was a significant delay in switching it on during the outage. This delay severely disrupted emergency medical services.

New Statewide Guidelines Issued

In response to the incident, the Health Department issued fresh directives to all government hospitals in Telangana. The guidelines mandate that backup generators be maintained in a ready-to-use condition at all times to prevent similar lapses.

Political Backlash Over Healthcare Mismanagement

The incident drew sharp criticism from the opposition. BRS leader and former minister Harish Rao Thanneeru targeted the Congress-led government, questioning its ability to manage basic healthcare infrastructure.

Sharing the viral video on X, Harish Rao wrote,
“On one hand, there are power cuts, and on the other hand, the hospital’s generator is not working. Finally, the treatment is done under the light of a cell phone. If the situation at the Zaheerabad Government Area Hospital, which sees over 300 patients, is like this, what is the situation like at other hospitals in rural areas?”

He added,
“The regime has been in power for a year and a half. The poor are losing access to medical care. @revanth_anumula Guys.. stop tying your necks in the air and provide minimum facilities. #CongressFailedTelangana”