On Monday, September 29, 2025, the city of Ongole came alive with a vibrant awareness rally in observance of World Heart Day. Organized jointly by the Government General Hospital (GGH) and the Government Medical College, the procession commenced from GGH and made its way to the Nellore Bus Stand. The event saw active participation from numerous dedicated doctors, hospital staff, and enthusiastic medical students, and was formally inaugurated by Ongole MLA Damacharla Janardhan Rao alongside GGH Superintendent Dr. S. Manikya Rao.
Addressing the attendees, MLA Janardhan Rao underscored the critical importance of proactive heart care. He emphasized that adopting healthy lifestyle changes, guided by professional medical advice, is key to combating and even curing heart disease. Expressing concern over the increasing number of young lives lost to cardiac ailments, he shared promising news: the recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art cath lab for advanced cardiac angiography tests marks a significant step forward. Furthermore, he announced that the GGH would soon be equipped to perform crucial bypass surgeries, significantly enhancing local cardiac treatment capabilities.
The MLA also extended assurances regarding improved access to healthcare, pledging to expand outpatient (OP) services at GGH and ensure that all necessary medical facilities are readily available to the community.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Manikya Rao, the GGH Superintendent, confirmed that the government has recently sanctioned significant funds for the acquisition of essential medical equipment. He also revealed that a new critical care block is slated for an imminent opening, poised to further bolster the hospital’s capacity for intensive patient care.