PNS|Vijayawada
Health Minister Vidadala Rajani has strongly criticised the opposition TDP leaders for their negative portrayal of the Arogyasri health scheme, labelling it as ‘Anarogyasri’ or an unhealthy scheme. Minister Rajani has dared TDP Chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu and his son Nara Lokesh to engage in a public debate regarding the implementation of Aarogyasri, both during the present YSRCP government and the previous TDP government.
Minister Rajani vehemently defended the Aarogyasri scheme, highlighting its positive impact on the healthcare of impoverished citizens. She argued that the scheme has garnered widespread praise and recognition, making baseless allegations by Naidu and Lokesh unacceptable. Rajani called for an open discussion on Aarogyasri and confidently expressed her ability to demonstrate how the previous Naidu government neglected the scheme.
She expressed her disappointment that Chandrababu Naidu, who served as Chief Minister for 14 years, failed to introduce a scheme similar to Arogyasri.
The Health Minister further challenged Lokesh to disclose the extent to which Arogyasri procedures were expanded during their five years of rule. She reminded everyone that the TDP government left Rs. 631 crores in unpaid dues to hospitals, which the Jagan government subsequently covered. Minister Rajani demanded a response from Lokesh on this matter. Minister Rajani pointed out that under the previous TDP regime, Arogyasri services were only provided to those below the poverty line. However, after Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy assumed office, the scheme was extended to families with an annual income of less than Rs 5 lakh.
This decision significantly increased the number of families receiving free medical care through Arogyasri, benefitting approximately 1.42 crore families, or 85 percent of the state’s population.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the significant improvements made under the Jagan government. The number of hospitals offering Aarogyasri treatments increased from 919 to 2,275, resulting in an average of 3,400 individuals receiving medical treatment daily. The Jagan government’s annual expenditure on Arogyasri has reached Rs. 3,400 crores this year alone, with the number of Arogyasri procedures rising to 3,257.
Minister Rajani emphasised that, under the Jagan government, over 36 lakh patients have received free medical treatment through Aarogyasri, amounting to an expenditure of Rs 10,100 crores in four years. She highlighted the government’s commitment to providing support until patients fully recover and mentioned the Arogya Aasara scheme, which has disbursed Rs 1,074.69 crore to 20,43,036 affected patients.
Minister Rajani applauded Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for providing free treatment under Aarogyasri, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, and questioned whether Naidu or Lokesh would dare to refute these facts.
Minister Rajani’s bold challenge to Naidu and Lokesh serves to defend the Arogyasri health scheme against baseless allegations and shed light on the positive impact it has had on the healthcare sector in the State.
