PPP Policy To Continue, Asserts CM Naidu

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday made it clear that he’s firmly committed to the PPP policy with a view to providing quality medical education and healthcare to the poor.

“There is no compromise or retreat,” he said in response to the opposition criticism of the private-public development model for the medical sector.

Chairing a review of the health department at the secretariat, Naidu asked officials to firmly counter misinformation surrounding the PPP model and ensure the speedy implementation of the projects.

Referring to the nationwide adoption of PPPs, the chief minister said the model was essential to bring quality, corporate-level healthcare within the reach of economically weaker sections. The state must move forward in line with national best practices to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, he said.

Officials briefed the CM on the central government’s guidelines encouraging PPP projects in hospitals and medical colleges, particularly through Viability Gap Funding. Under the VGF framework, both the Centre and the state would extend 30 per cent financial support each, accounting for 60 per cent of the project cost in the medical sector.

The Centre, through the department of economic affairs, has already approved similar projects in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, recognising PPPs as a catalyst for rapid expansion of health infrastructure and improved access to quality care, officials noted.

The Chief Minister directed officials to provide VGF and other incentives in line with central guidelines for medical colleges proposed under the PPP mode in AP.

Officials informed Naidu that tenders were invited on Sept 18 for medical colleges at Adoni, Madanapalle, Pulivendula and Markapuram. Six national and international firms participated in the pre-bid meetings. Bidders sought site visits, design flexibility in line with NMC norms, and enhanced consortium participation. The government agreed to these.

Significantly, one firm has agreed to take up the Adoni medical college project. Naidu asked officials to conclude an agreement with the firm and expedite construction, while also fast-tracking tender processes and consultations for the remaining colleges.

The Chief Minister reviewed the Sanjeevani project, piloted in Kuppam, and sought details on plans to roll it out across Chittoor district. He asked officials to address bottlenecks faced during the pilot project’s implementation while regularly updating digital health records envisaged under the project.