C Pradeep Kumar
Vijayawada
Under the leadership of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh has witnessed a healthcare revolution through the YSR Aarogyasri programme. This initiative, a cornerstone of the ‘Navaratnalu’ initiatives, was revitalised by the YSRCP government following their assumption of power in 2019, marking a significant departure from its prior neglect during the tenure of the TDP government.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy spearheaded the transformation of the YSR Aarogyasri scheme by expanding its coverage. The number of procedures covered increased from 2,446 to 3,255, with an enhanced ceiling limit of eligibility, now set at Rs 5 lakh per annum per family. Furthermore, the number of empanelled hospitals grew from 919 to an impressive 2,262, encompassing all government hospitals.
The revamped YSR Aarogyasri scheme now includes high-end procedures with costs ranging from Rs 6.5 lakh to Rs 12 lakh. The utilisation of this scheme has surged, going from 1,570 patients per day before 2019 to an impressive 4,394 patients per day as of 2019.
The monthly expenditure also saw a significant rise, climbing from Rs 108.25 crore before 2019 to 263.63 crore by June 2019. In an effort to extend its reach, the Aarogyasri scheme has been extended to Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bangalore, offering 716 super-specialty procedures across 202 hospitals. A dedicated Call Centre has been established to address Aarogyasri and other health-related complaints and grievances.
For the first time in decades, Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of CM Jagan, has initiated the establishment of 17 medical colleges across the State. This endeavour aims to bolster the healthcare system with a projected budget of Rs 8,480.00 crore. The first five priority colleges, namely Vizianagaram, Machilipatnam, Rajahmundry, Eluru, and Nandyal, are set to commence academic sessions from 2023, each enrolling an expected 150 students, totaling 750, with approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for 150 MBBS admissions.
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s focus on primary and tertiary healthcare is evident in the budget allocations, with Rs 60,496.72 crores designated over the past four years. For the upcoming fiscal year 2023-24, the budget allocation stands at an impressive 15,882 crores.
To enhance primary and tertiary healthcare services, the government has allocated a total of Rs 16,840 crores over the past four years under the Nadu-Nedu initiative. This allocation includes Rs 1,692 crore for YSR Health Clinics, Rs 670.00 crore for construction, Rs 402.00 crore for strengthening of Primary Health Centers (PHCs), and the construction and enhancement of YSR Urban Health Clinics to cater to urban areas’ primary healthcare needs, with an additional Rs 1,223.00 crore for the construction and strengthening of Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Area Hospitals.
In its unwavering commitment to providing quality primary healthcare to rural populations, the government has established 10,032 Dr. YSR Village Health Clinics, serving approximately 2,000 people each. These clinics are staffed with a Community Health Officer holding a B.Sc. Nursing qualification and one Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM). The state government has also sanctioned 88 new PHCs, ensuring two PHCs per mandal.
The YSRCP government has filled a total of 53,126 vacancies within the healthcare sector over the last four years. These positions span Super Specialty doctors, Specialty doctors, general practitioners, nurses, and various paramedics, marking a historic achievement in healthcare recruitment by any government in the past.
Praising the services received at Government General Hospital, Vijayawada, former corporator Manti Koteswara Rao of Vidyadharapuram shared his experience. He underwent a stent procedure after suffering a cardiac ailment and was treated under the YSR Aarogyasri programme. He described the service as on par with corporate hospitals and expressed his gratitude to the State government and the medical professionals who attended to him.
