Telangana Hospitals Halt Aarogyasri from Sept 16
Fund crisis hits 330 Arogyasri hosps, to stop services
Hyderabad: The Telangana Aarogyasri Network Hospitals Association (TANHA), representing nearly 330 hospitals across the state, has announced an indefinite strike starting midnight of Tuesday, September 16, citing failed negotiations with the state health minister and CEO of Aarogyasri Health Care Trust.
TANHA president Vaddiraju Rakesh said the hospitals have been under severe financial stress for over a year. “We are in the worst phase as the government has virtually given up on us. They clearly said they cannot do anything beyond what has already been done. With no option left, we are forced to suspend services,” he said.
The hospitals collectively owed about ₹1,400 crore. According to Rakesh, the association had requested the government to release at least ₹150 crore per month to ease the burden. “Timely release of funds has always been our demand. Paying small amounts while keeping huge arrears pending does not help,” he said.
Small and medium-sized hospitals, which form the backbone of healthcare delivery in the districts, are the worst affected. “These hospitals cater to nearly 85 per cent of the rural and semi-urban population, including farmers, labourers and self-employed individuals who depend entirely on government-sponsored services. Unlike Hyderabad, these areas lack the paying capacity,” Rakesh explained.
The association had earlier launched a strike in January, which was withdrawn after 10 days following an assurance from the health minister. A fresh warning was issued in August, with plans to strike from August 31, but was deferred after talks. Over the past 20 days, TANHA has held multiple meetings with health minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha and AHCT officials, but the payment crisis remains unresolved.
Urging the public to understand their predicament, TANHA expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of services.
