Union Minister JP Nadda, CM Chandrababu Naidu Launch ₹249-Crore Critical Care Blocks, Health Labs in AP

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Sanjeevani programme would prove to be a game-changer in healthcare and Health records of citizens would be digitised from January 1. He urged the Centre to accord national project status to the Quantum Bio Valley proposed in Amaravati.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, along with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda visited the newly established Critical Care Block and Integrated Public Health Laboratory at Old Government General Hospital in Vijayawada and formally inaugurated the facilities.Later, at a programme held at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kala Vedika, the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister virtually launched 10 Critical Care Blocks and 12 Integrated Public Health Laboratories, established across the State at a total cost of ₹249 crore.The new facilities have added 500 critical care beds to the State's healthcare infrastructure. They include state-of-the-art operation theatres and ultrasound facilities, besides specialised services in cardiology, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery.These facilities will make advanced emergency medical care more accessible to poor and middle-class families and reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for specialised treatment.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Union Government had brought about several revolutionary changes in the healthcare sector over the past 12 years. The number of medical seats in the country had more than doubled from around 51,000, he said.He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India for providing vaccines to the world during the COVID-19 pandemic.The Chief Minister said AIIMS Mangalagiri was being developed impressively and that Jan Aushadhi Kendras were helping provide affordable medicines to the poor. Better healthcare services were also being enabled through ABHA cards, he said.Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a major destination for the pharmaceutical industry, while the MedTech Park is promoting the manufacture of medical devices, he said.

Calling for a change in lifestyle and dietary habits, Chandrababu said people should treat the kitchen as a pharmacy and food as medicine. He advised people to make yoga, pranayama and meditation part of their daily lives, stating that yoga could help improve energy levels.A healthy society could be built by embracing technology while continuing to follow traditional practices, he said.

The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda for extending financial support to the State's healthcare sector. He expressed confidence that under J.P. Nadda's leadership, the health sector will improve further.Chandrababu said such development was possible because of the coordination between the Centre and the State under the double-engine government.

Referring to irrigation development, he said irrigation projects were being taken forward and the Polavaram project was being completed. He recalled that the Pattiseema project had enabled the diversion of Godavari water to the Krishna Delta.With the support of the Centre, the commitment of the State Government and the participation of the people, Andhra Pradesh would be made the No. 1 State in the country, Chandrababu asserted.He appealed to people to actively participate in and support the development and welfare programmes being implemented by the Centre and State governments.The Chief Minister said the government was working towards building a “Healthy–Wealthy–Happy Andhra Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said the healthcare sector could deliver significantly better services by embracing modern technology while continuing traditional health practices.Extensive use of technology across all sectors could help Andhra Pradesh achieve remarkable progress over the next decade, he said.Chandrababu said Amaravati was being developed as a hub for future technologies. He informed the gathering that a Quantum Bio Valley was being established in Amaravati and requested Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to extend support for giving it national recognition.He said the country's first quantum computer would be launched in Amaravati. The government was also providing training to youth to develop expertise in the field of artificial intelligence, he said.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kala Vedika reverberated with cheers and applause as Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu arrived on the stage. Medical students and members of the gathering gave him an enthusiastic welcome.The audience repeatedly applauded during the Chief Minister's speech, with loud cheers whenever he referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amaravati, the Sanjeevani programme and irrigation projects.

At the conclusion of the programme, Chandrababu Naidu and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda took a selfie together on the stage, sharing the moment with the enthusiastic audience.