Health Minister Launches Advanced Medical Facilities in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav inaugurated several development initiatives in Visakhapatnam, including the Endobronchial Ultrasound (EBUS) machine, the first of its kind in the Telugu-speaking states, at the Chest and Communicable Diseases Hospital in the port city on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Satya Kumar underlined that the government’s foremost priority is to make corporate-level medical services accessible to the poor. He pointed out that the EBUS machine will be of immense benefit to those suffering from pulmonary diseases.

Highlighting the progress in healthcare sector over past two years, the minister pointed out that the outpatient services at the Chest Hospital have increased from 35,000 in 2023 to 45,000 in 2025, while major surgeries have risen from 359 to 649.

He underlined that Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the country to conduct free cancer screening tests state-wide, with advanced cancer care centres established at Kurnool, Visakhapatnam, Kadapa, and Guntur. More such cancer centres are planned in Kakinada and Anantapur.

Satya Kumar emphasised that dialysis facilities are being expanded, with a new machine introduced every three days, bringing the total in the state to 725. He announced plans for a Universal Health Scheme, offering free medical care worth up to ₹25 lakh per family, making Andhra Pradesh the only state to provide treatment on such a scale.

District collector Abhishikth Kishore praised the government’s initiative, stressing that state-of-the-art technologies are now available in government hospitals. These would elevate Visakhapatnam as a model in healthcare, he maintained.

Senior officials, medical experts, and hospital staff attended the event.