CM directs officials to organise extensive ‘Aarogyasri’ awareness campaign, and hold ‘Aarogya Suraksha’ camps in saturation mode
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has called upon the officials of the Medical and Health Department to hold an extensive public awareness campaign on the YSR Aarogyasri scheme. The objective is to ensure accessibility to free medical treatment.
Reviewing the implementation of health schemes at the Camp Office on Friday, the Chief Minister directed officials to guarantee that every individual is informed about the availability of free Aarogyasri medical services and to complete the distribution of Aarogyasri Cards as per the outlined schedule.
Assessing the progress of the second phase of the Jagananna Aarogya Suraksha camps, he underscored the significance of preventive healthcare. He stressed that everyone must be acquainted with the network hospitals of Aarogyasri and understand the process of availing free medical treatment up to Rs. 25 lakh.
The Chief Minister urged for Aarogya Suraksha camps to be conducted in saturation mode every six months, covering every household in all villages. He specified the need to record details such as the number of patients, data on diabetic and BP patients, and their treatment. Additionally, he emphasized the regular updating of records.
Perfect mapping of health details for identified individuals should include reconfirmation diagnostic tests for various ailments initially investigated. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of offering medical care to those who haven’t received Aarogyasri Cards for any reason and stressed the need to provide necessary support to patients.
While emphasising public awareness, he urged officials to take the camps seriously and conduct diagnostic tests repeatedly in necessary cases. The Chief Minister suggested treating a village secretariat as a unit for conducting Arogya Suraksha camps, involving family doctors in the process.
He emphasized providing necessary orientation to staff at the village level and recommended senior officials to periodically monitor the progress of Arogya Suraksha camps to ensure their success.
Officials reported to the Chief Minister that 4,27,910 individuals received OP medical treatment in 1338 Arogya Suraksha camps during the second phase. Additionally, 5,76,493 individuals were identified as needing eyeglasses, with 67 per cent of distributions already completed.
They also provided updates on the status of new medical colleges and highlighted the readiness of various healthcare facilities, including the mental care hospital at Visakhapatnam, CT scan centres, regional drug stores at Vijayawada and Tirupati, PG Men’s hostel in the SV Medical College at Tirupati, Burns Ward in the GGH at Anantapuram, State Cancer Institute at Kurnool, Examination Hall in GMC, Kurnool, 12 SNCUs (Special Newborn Care Units), and five NICU centres (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) in various Government hospitals.
The Chief Minister urged officials to focus on acquiring the necessary equipment for the new medical colleges. Minister for Medical & Health V Rajani, CS Dr KS Jawahara Reddy, Special CS (Medical and Health) MT Krishna Babu, Health & Family Welfare Secretary Dr Manjula Hosamni, Director J Nivas, APMSIDC VC and MD D. Muralidhara Reddy, Aarogyasri CEO DK Balaji, and other senior officials were present during the meeting.
