Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu chairing a review meeting on Health Department at his residence at Undavalli in Guntur district on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In a bid to provide quality healthcare to all, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced a series of initiatives. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the State’s healthcare system on December 28 (Saturday), addressing long-standing issues and approving key proposals to improve the services.
Key decisions include appointing a single service provider for ‘108’, ‘104’ and emergency call centre services, purchase of 190 new ambulances, and restoring the additional ₹4,000 incentive for ‘108’ ambulance staff and drivers, apart from salary.
The officials informed the Chief Minister that during the TDP’s previous tenure, the ambulance staff used to get an additional ₹4,000 but the YSRCP government reduced it to ₹2,000. Pointing out that the ambulance staff work for 12 hours a day, the Chief Minister suggested to enhance the amount to ₹4,000.
Mr. Naidu also approved the deployment of 58 new Mahaprasthanam vehicles to transport bodies, with an annual allocation of ₹9.45 crore.
To ensure better access to healthcare services, the government aims to bolster preventive services.
AI in healthcare
A pilot programme under ‘104’ services will provide blood tests and other diagnostic services and issue health cards. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare was also discussed, with plans to integrate advanced technology with public health systems.
The Chief Minister approved the purchase of 190 ambulances, replacing the vehicles purchased in 2016. Improved services in ‘104’ ambulances will include lab technicians and diagnostic kits, reinstating the features removed by the previous government.
NTR Vaidya Seva
The government plans to transition the NTR Vaidya Seva programme to an insurance-based model, providing coverage to 1.43 crore families for 3,257 medical procedures. Each family will have an annual insurance cover up to ₹25 lakh annually. Public and private insurance companies will administer the programme, excluding government employees from its scope.
Additionally, every mandal in Andhra Pradesh will have Jan Aushadhi stores to provide affordable generic medicines. Mr. Naidu emphasised strict action against ‘ambulance mafias’ and asked officials to ensure compassionate care for those in grief.
The review meeting was attended by Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav and senior officials of the department.
Published – December 28, 2024 07:52 pm IST