VIJAYAWADA: YSR Congress government, which earlier limited 2,434 medical procedures to seven districts, has now expanded them to throughout the state. The expansion became effective with Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy presiding over a programme in this regard at the CM’s camp office in Tadepalli on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister pointed out that earlier only 1,059 medical procedures were available under Aarogyasri. YSRC government increased them to 2,434 to provide extra medical care to people of seven districts on a pilot basis. But now, these 2,434 procedures will be available throughout the state with the remaining six districts – Srikakulam, East Godavari, Krishna, Nellore, Chittoor and Anantapur – being added to the list.
Jagan Mohan Reddy said now, all treatments under listed 2,434 ailments costing more than Rs. 1,000 would be free. “Perhaps, Andhra Pradesh is the only state, which has even brought Covid and post-Covid care under Aarogyasri,” he remarked.
CM Jagan underlined that the state government is keen on strengthening the public healthcare system. This is the reason why 16 new medical colleges have been added across the state, including three cancer hospitals, two kidney centres and six multi-speciality hospitals in tribal areas. He went on to assure that one nursing college and a teaching hospital will be set up in every parliamentary constituency.
The Chief Minister pointed to the poor state of medical care under the previous Telugu Desam dispensation, including inadequate infrastructure facilities from primary health centres to district hospitals, surgeries under cell phone lights, death of a newborn due to rodent bite, non-payment of dues to Aarogyasri hospitals, poor state of 104 and 108 vehicles and zero healthcare facilities at villages. “The current government is determined to change the scenario and make public healthcare services vibrant,” he asserted.
Jagan Mohan Reddy pointed out that Aarogyasri of AP will be available even outside AP at 130 super-speciality hospitals in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai cities. Under Aarogya Asara, patients who undergo surgeries are being given financial aid of up to Rs. 5,000 per month during their recuperating period. Special pensions of Rs. 10,000 per month are being given to those suffering from chronic ailments like thalassemia, cancer and kidney disorders. In addition, 510 medicines approved by World Health Organisation (WHO) are being made available in all hospitals.
CM Jagan directed officials to pay special attention to implementation of Aarogyasri scheme and ensure that Aarogya Asara is made available without fail to patients. He asked authorities to involve Aarogya Mitras at all Aarogyasri-empanelled hospitals by December 10 for creating awareness among public.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched the Aarogyasri App in both English and Telugu languages. Deputy chief minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas, minister Botsa Satyanarayana, chief secretary Nilam Sawhney, principal (Health) secretary Anil Kumar Singhal, commissioner for Health and Family Welfare Katamaneni Bhasker, Aarogyasri CEO Mallikarjun, and other officials were present at the event.
