VIJAYAWADA: AP has included the expensive bone marrow and liver transplant procedures in Aarogyasri, providing a ray of hope to needy patients.
The inclusion is on orders issued by Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy during a review meeting on YSR Aarogyasri scheme held here on Tuesday. He asked officials to identify hospitals where these procedures can be efficiently taken up, thereby providing a new lease of life to bone marrow and liver transplant patients.
The Chief Minister directed authorities to ensure that all Aarogyasri network hospitals are accredited with the National Accreditation Board of Hospitals. He instructed officials to monitor services of Aarogyasri empanelled hospitals to ensure that they provide nutritious food and transport facility to the patient from hospital to home after discharge.
With regard to ANMs, CM Jagan asked officials to train them in medical procedures generally required at the village level. He said ANMs should be able to receive patients and guide them to a doctor based on their ailments through telemedicine. He instructed officials to be vigilant and strengthen telemedicine call centre in the state.
Doctors should be available round the clock for telemedicine services. They must be able to attend whenever a patient or ANM calls. Officials explained to the Chief Minister implementation of Aarogyasri scheme in the state.
They informed him that so far, 1.35 crore smart health cards have been issued and 716 medical procedures are also being made available at 130 hospitals in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai.
Deputy Chief Minister Alla Kali Krishna Srinivas, chief secretary Nilam Sawhney, principal secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal, Health and Family Welfare commissioner Katamaneni Bhasker, Aarogyasri CEO Mallikarjun and other officials were present at the meeting.
