A.P. Chief Minister Naidu stresses the need to assess State’s position in the national health index

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the need to assess Andhra Pradesh’s position in the national health index. The ultimate responsibility lies in ensuring that people do not face hardships, he said.

At the Ministers and Secretaries Conference on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu suggested linking digital health cards through WhatsApp for convenience. The construction of medical colleges must be completed within a set timeline, and medical insurance should be implemented as soon as possible. Bill Gates had expressed interest in collaborating with the government if the Tata model in Chittoor proves successful, he said.

Mr. Naidu stressed that no one should suffer due to a lack of access to medical treatment, and public hospitals must be maintained in a clean and hygienic condition at all times.

Special Principal Secretary for Medical and Health Krishna Babu said that at the village level, teleconsultation services had been introduced to ensure that pregnant women did not face difficulties in accessing healthcare. Through the NTR Vaidya Seva Scheme, 11.45 lakh people had received treatment. Steps were being taken to implement electronic health cards in all hospitals. Under the National Health Mission, the State was expected to receive ₹1,416.94 crore from the Central government.

The Centre had approved the establishment of five skill centres and granted permission for nine cancer care hospitals. There was a focus on promoting medical tourism through Medicity, for which 200 acres of land are required. Under the PMJAY scheme, ₹ 520 crore was expected from the Central government. The government had devised an action plan to provide ₹25 lakh insurance coverage to each family. Plans were in place to issue digital health cards to every citizen, and under the “Guarantee for Heart” scheme, heart patients are being supported, he added.