Health Infrastructure – Andhra Pradesh Expands Mortuary Facilities in Government Hospitals
Health Infrastructure – The Andhra Pradesh government has taken another step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure by beginning the distribution of newly procured mortuary freezer chambers to government hospitals across the state. The initiative is aimed at improving the storage of bodies awaiting post-mortem examinations and addressing long-standing issues caused by aging equipment.
New Freezer Chambers to Improve Hospital Services
State Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav announced on Sunday that the government has started supplying 177 mortuary freezer chambers to secondary-level government hospitals. The project has been implemented with an investment of Rs 6.57 crore to enhance mortuary facilities and ensure better preservation standards in public healthcare institutions.
Each freezer chamber has been purchased at a cost of up to Rs 3.71 lakh and is designed to accommodate two bodies at a time. These units will primarily be used to preserve the bodies of road accident victims, suicide cases, and unidentified individuals until medico-legal procedures, including post-mortem examinations, are completed.
Focus on Replacing Outdated Equipment
According to the Health Minister, several government hospitals had been relying on old and inefficient mortuary storage systems, creating operational challenges for hospital staff. The newly installed freezer chambers are expected to provide reliable storage while improving hygiene and the overall management of medico-legal cases.
The replacement of outdated units is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize healthcare facilities and improve essential services across public hospitals. Officials believe the upgraded equipment will help hospitals handle emergency situations more effectively while maintaining appropriate preservation standards.
Distribution Across Secondary Government Hospitals
The newly procured freezer chambers are being distributed across a wide network of government healthcare institutions throughout Andhra Pradesh. Under the current phase of the programme, 119 Community Health Centres, 49 Area Hospitals, and eight District Hospitals have been selected to receive the equipment.
The distribution has been planned to ensure that hospitals handling significant numbers of medico-legal cases have access to modern preservation facilities. Authorities expect the upgraded infrastructure to support medical personnel and forensic procedures more efficiently.
Majority of Units Already Delivered
Providing an update on the implementation, Satya Kumar Yadav said that 150 mortuary freezer chambers have already been dispatched to hospitals across the state. The remaining units are expected to be supplied in the coming days, completing the distribution process.
Once all 177 freezer chambers are installed, secondary government hospitals will have improved capacity to preserve bodies safely and manage post-mortem-related responsibilities with greater efficiency. The initiative reflects the state’s continued focus on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and upgrading essential medical facilities for better public service delivery.